1 John 4:12
Memory Verse
No one has watched Deity at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is in a state of having been brought to maturity in us, 1 John 4:12.
We cannot watch God like we are at a theater watching a play. We see God through the actions of the saints who love other saints. This type of love seeks the best for the one loved and is not based on, nor sourced from, the human nature and its desires. Only someone who is in Christ has the ability to express this type of love. The world will try to mimic it, but, by their actions, they seek a benefit for themselves, not others (Luke 11:43).
God’s love is not something we bring to maturity or completeness. It is already in a state of maturity in us. ‘Perfect’ in many translations of this verse means that which is brought to its intended end; thus, mature. We manifest this love by obeying His commandment—‘love one another as I have loved you.’ He gave His life for us, therefore, we are obligated to commit our lives to the well-being of other saints (1 John 4:11). We are not to forsake the assembling of the saints, for in this type of gathering and through sharing our lives with fellow Christians, we are able to grow together in the Lord so that we are all built up to maturity in Christ (Hebrews 10:25).