Day 30 - Abiding Love
- Pastor b.Side
- Feb 28
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 24
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. - 1 John 4:15-16
Many people claim that if they saw God, they would believe in Him. That isn’t true. When Jesus came into the world as God in the flesh, people didn’t believe—at least, not until Jesus made a special effort to supernaturally provide faith. The scriptures teach that seeing God has nothing to do with our eyes. Our ability to “see” God is based on a connection that God forges with those who believe. The faith that connects us to God is also rooted in His work.
“Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God…”
This section of 1 John begins by stating that no one has ever seen God. However, the Bible teaches that many have seen God and testify about Him. How is this possible? Through the Holy Spirit. God gives His Spirit to His people, enabling them to perceive things that would otherwise be impossible. The Spirit allows us to recognize the truth of God, to see His influence in our lives, His movement, the effects of His work, and more.
“God abides in him, and he in God…”
How does that work? God “abides” in those who “confess” Jesus as the Son of God. Confession regarding Jesus doesn’t simply refer to a verbal declaration; it conveys one person affirming the same truth as another. Jesus publicly testified about His true identity and purpose as God in the flesh. Many heard and saw, but only some believed. What distinguished the two? John 17:6 explains that the Father gave certain individuals to Jesus as disciples, who were eventually filled with the Holy Spirit. The indwelling of the Spirit created a supernatural connection to God, nurturing a supernatural understanding of Him. The Spirit’s work in these people empowered them to witness about Jesus based on insights inspired by the Spirit.
If “confession” means affirming what another person says, whom do we emulate so that God resides in us? We emulate Jesus. What did He proclaim? He is God in the flesh. That’s what His disciples confessed, as that’s the message the Holy Spirit empowered them to share. Our “confession” of Jesus arises from God’s desire to dwell in us. God takes the initiative to unite Himself with us. This connection fosters the faith we need to please God, leading to our public testimony about the truth of who Jesus is.
“God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God…”
How do we come to know, believe, and see God? How do we experience God’s love? We must abide in love, just as we abide in God, for God is love. As long as we are connected to God, we are also connected to His love, allowing us to see God’s work in our lives and in the world. Still, it is God who takes the initiative to forge that connection through His Word, in accordance with the will of the Father, the work of His Son, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer for today
Our heavenly Father, thank You for loving us first. Help us walk in humility and gratitude, knowing that our connection to You comes solely from who You are and the work You’ve done for our benefit, ultimately resulting in Your glory. You’ve bound us to Yourself as LOVE. Help us love others as You loved us, offering our sacrifice of praise and thanks to You. Let us live this way, in Jesus’ name, and for His glory. Amen.
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