Truly Reciprocal Love

 

“Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”

—1 John 4:16b

As I sit from my little rocky niche on the mountain of life and observe the flow of society around me, I find that more and more I observe relationships that are more take than give. It seems as if almost everyone has some unstated agenda and is at work to manipulate every relationship to his or her advantage.

I’m not suggesting that genuine relationships don’t exist. I know they do because I have had the great honor and privilege of living in one for the last 48 years. But, I also am very keenly aware that, as an only adopted child, I am so riddled with selfishness that my loving wife has far too often had to give a great deal more than she has ever received in return. At least that’s how it appears to me when I look at the span of time with a somewhat clearer head than I had in the past.

Out in the sin-filled and darkened world, I see lots of maneuvering for power and privilege in relationships. It’s almost as if a game of one-upmanship defines many, many relationships. But, when those same relationships go down in flames, I confess that I am not at all surprised.

Fortunately, for those whom God has called to Himself to be His dearly loved children, we have an infinitely more stable loving relationship on which we can truly rely. The Apostle John describes this loving partnership in 1 John 4:16:

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

Not only do we know that God loves us with an everlasting, unfailing, and undying love. We can actually fully and unreservedly rely on that love. God is love. The Bible illustrates God’s love for His chosen ones over and over again. Even in our own lives, we can give testimony—if we have remained aware of His Presence—that God has extended His love to us in so many ways.

Just this past weekend, I observed a family enjoying a celebration. The joy on their faces was startling. The love they had for each other was very much in evidence. I could not help but think of that’s the kind of relationship with have with God. He brings joy into our lives through His love. He tenderly directs us and corrects us and molds us to conform to the image of His Son, Jesus.

And that, dear ones, is a wonderful contrast to what I observe happening around me in the world today. God’s truly reciprocal love is so amazingly powerful that it does, indeed, overcome the world.

 

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