"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." - 1 John 4:11-12 (NIV)

Written by the apostle, in 1 John he reassures Christians (even us today) in their faith and to counter false teachings. I was definitely reassured and also encouraged when I read this passage of Scripture today. Not only did God love us, but He "so" loved us - John uses that little word for a reason and it's true. God loved us so much that He gave His only Son, to pay the penalty (death) for our sins - something we could never pay because of our evil desires, sinful behavior, even our thoughts; our very nature is to be against God - because Jesus was perfect, flawless and loved us so much He would make it right between us and God by doing so. Hard to believe, I know. We often ask why or even how, and the answer from John (above) tells us because "God loved us so..." that's how much God truly loves you! 

But sometimes we can ask the question - if no one has ever seen God, how can we ever know him? John in his Gospel said, "God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known." (John 1:18) Jesus is the complete expression of God in human form and he has revealed God to us. When we love one another, the invisible God reveals himself to others through us, and his love is made complete. This is one of the reasons why He gave us the Holy Spirit. He lives in us so that He would be made known through us. 

We know it's not easy loving people. Some people simply enjoy being with others, some don't. Some make friends with strangers easily and are always surrounded by friends. Others not so much. People are shy or reserved, and even uncomfortable talking with people they don't know or mingling in crowds. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. We don't need to become extroverts in order to love others. John isn't telling us how many people to love but how much to love the people we already know. Our job is simple - love faithfully the people God has given us to love, whether that means just 2 or 200 of them. When God sees that we are ready to really love others, He will bring them to us. So no matter how shy we can be, we don't need to be afraid of the love commandment. God always gives us the strength to do what He asks us to - AMEN! 

Keep loving people, 

- Brandon