ABIDING LOVE

1 John 4:13-21

By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.  Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.  So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.  By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as He is so also are we in this world.  There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.  We love because He first loved us.  If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.  And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Because God has given me His Holy Spirit, He abides in me and I abide in Him.  The Spirit testifies about the Son, and when the Spirit enters my heart, then the Spirit testifies through me.

This testimony is a confession that Jesus is the Son of God, that God abides in Him and He in God.  Whoever makes this confession abides in God, and He in them.

When I have the Holy Spirit inside my heart, I know and believe the love that God has for me.  This love is perfected in me, and gives me assurance regarding my future in heaven:  when I die, I will go to heaven because the Holy Spirit resides in me.

THINK ABOUT THESE THINGS

Sometimes I am afraid and I lose confidence.  During these times, I allow my anxiety to overtake my confidence.  When I focus on God’s perfect love, His love casts out my fear and removes my doubt.  I regain my confidence.

Even when my confidence is shaken and fear reigns in my heart, my salvation is secure, because the Holy Spirit never leaves my heart.  The Holy Spirit teaches me and reminds me about Jesus being my King and that I am a child of God.

When I remember these things, I rejoice and praise God, because I was lost and now am found; my confidence was shaken and now is restored!

Lord, thank You for granting me confidence in You!  I am thankful that the Holy Spirit teaches and reminds me daily that You reign in my heart.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.