My Favorite Verses - Vol V (Feb 17 to Jun 17)
An illustrated collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and some of its least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings
An illustrated collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and some of its least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings
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1 John 4:16 … To abide in GOD<br />
(06/<strong>17</strong>/20<strong>17</strong>)<br />
“God is Love, and those who abide in Love abide in God,<br />
and God abides in them.” ~ unknown (1 John 4:16)<br />
First & foremost, note that “Love” in this verse is the Greek agape, a word<br />
that means neither emotional need nor philosophical romance nor sexual desire<br />
nor psychological partnership, but rather a word that meant active Caring (see<br />
Strong‟s #26); the kind of Love that Jesus considered <strong>to</strong> be “perfect” (Matthew<br />
5:48) – the kind of Love that was more thought than emotion & more word than<br />
thought & more deed than word – the kind of Love that is only reborn in<strong>to</strong> Being<br />
during acts of courageously humble self-sacrifice (Matthew 16:24) – the kind of<br />
Love that comes alive when caring for downtrodden strangers (Matthew 25:35-40)<br />
– and the kind of Love<br />
that treats enemies<br />
(Matthew 5:43-48) as if<br />
they were long-lost<br />
Friends … Just as<br />
importantly, note that<br />
“abide(s)” in this verse<br />
is the Greek word<br />
menei, a word that<br />
means “<strong>to</strong> consistently<br />
remain” or “<strong>to</strong><br />
persistently fulfill” (see<br />
Strong‟s #3306) … And<br />
finally, please note that<br />
God is always within us<br />
(John 14:20) – and yet<br />
that He only abides in<br />
us fully when we act<br />
accordingly; only when<br />
we act as direct agents<br />
of his unconditional<br />
Love (John 14:23) …<br />
Love that is courageous<br />
-- and Love that is<br />
humble -- and Love that<br />
is a verb. Indeed,<br />
perfect Love is either all<br />
of these things ... or<br />
LOVE is nothing at all.<br />
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