December 8th

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

This passage hits home in such a profound way, reminding us that love is the core of our spiritual journey. It tells us that love is not just something we do, but something that defines us as children of God. When we genuinely love others, it shows that we are connected to God because God is the very essence of love. If we can't find it in our hearts to love, we miss out on truly knowing God.

The verse also points to the ultimate example of God's love: sending His only Son to the world. This wasn't just any act; it was the most significant sacrifice, meant to give us life through Him. It's a powerful message that love is about selflessness and sacrifice. God's love for us wasn't earned by our actions; it was a gift given freely. This kind of love challenges us to live differently, to see every relationship as a reflection of that divine love, and to strive to embody that love in all we do.