I think of myself as a rather simplistic guy. I like to discover basic truths and essential principles. In this sort of quest, I frequently recall a quote from another principle-seeker: “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.” – Albert Einstein
Following Jesus sometimes becomes complex. We become lost in debate about intricate theological concepts. The culture imposes its twisted perceptions of religion. We each view Jesus through our own limited perspectives, failures, and weaknesses. I need to stop occasionally and re-center my thinking, to be certain that everything else happens in the context of simple, core truths about Jesus.
My favorite scripture author is the apostle John. I like to picture the old man nearing the end of his life, reflecting on the incredible events he witnessed. I imagine this common fisherman, who once was part of Jesus’ inner circle, searching for the words that would encapsulate his understanding.
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
We know that we live 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. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 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 him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. (1 John 4:7-21)
In the 319 words of these fourteen verses, John uses “love” twenty seven times. Twice he powerfully declares, “God is love.” Whenever I become distracted or side-tracked, this is the place to which I always wish to return. The children’s song gets it right: “Jesus loves me, this I know.”
That’s all we need to know. The rest is details.
Question: What does the proclamation “God is love” mean to you?
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