GOD IS LOVE Devotion 17 of 34 – Tomorrow:
"He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love . . . God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." (1 John 4:8,16)
"If we love one another . . . His love is perfected in us." (1 John 4:12)
In other versions the latter part of this verse reads, "His love HAS BEEN perfected in us" (NKJV), "His love IS MADE complete in us" (NIV), "IS BROUGHT TO perfection in us" (NAB), "COMES TO is perfection in us" (NJB), "HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO its full expression through us" (NLT) and "HAVING BEEN perfected in us" (YLT).
The word "perfected" means to complete, carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, or bring to an end or objective. It is bringing something to its goal, or to its suitable use. As always, the definition and example of perfection will be found in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our vocabulary is most clearly defined in Him.
Jesus, for example, was "made perfect" in order that He might be the "Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him" (Heb 7:9). This does not mean He was morally defiled, but was made morally perfect, for Jesus never did have sin, nor was He ever guilty of immorality. His perfection had to do with making Him suitable for the work of saving us. Temptation was involved in that perfection, for it qualified Him to be "touched with the feeling of our infirmities," thus making Him a compassionate and effective High Priest (Heb 4:15). He was sent into the world to be its Savior, and His perfection had to do with qualifying Him for that work. The seventh chapter of Hebrews has particular regard to the intercession of Jesus, through which Jesus is saving "to the uttermost" those who come to God through Him (Heb 7:25). That responsibility required that He be perfectly suited for the work by passing through the same sort of trials and temptations experienced by those He is saving. Thus, He was "perfected" when that point was reached.
Therefore, what we are speaking of is the love of God, or the love that comes from God, being brought to its intended goal WITHIN US. That goal is not merely being loved by God, but allowing God to love through us. From one standpoint, we might say love is brought to maturity, although that does not fully convey the idea intended. We know from Scripture that "the love of God has been poured out [shed abroad, KJV] in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us" (Rom 5:5). But what is that love to do? What is its purpose, and how will we know when that purpose has been realized? The process leading to that fulfillment is one of "being perfected."
The Spirit is continuing to open up this powerful affirmation – "God is love." Not only does God abide in the person who is loving the "sons of God," His love is perfected, or brought to maturity in that individual. This is a most arresting consideration! Yet, it is in perfect harmony with what has been said concerning the love of God. How is it that we comprehend His love? "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 John 3:16). That is the love that is perfected in us, and it is made known when we have the same regard for His people that He exhibited in dying for them.
"But if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us" (NIV). There is, to my understanding, no religious sect willing to unqualifiedly make this statement. They simply will not do it without providing their own definition of "one another," the "brethren," or those who are the "children of God." Generally they take it to mean those belonging to their own sect. But God did not send His Son into the world to save a sect. Jesus did not lay down His life for a sect, or a denomination, or group of people who see themselves as "the one true church." Surely no one would be bold enough to take such a position, and yet those who limit their love to those of their own group have, in fact, made such a statement with their actions.
It is true that the word "perfected" can also be translated "completed," or made mature. However, the idea is not that it is finished, but that it reaches it highest level. The reasoning is as follows. God's love toward us is confirmed by His unfathomable beneficence toward us in Christ. In bringing salvation through Jesus, God brought the ultimate good to us. If, then, we also lavish that love upon His people, we, by that very work, confirm that He is abiding in us. God has already told us He is attracted to the humble and contrite, who tremble at His word. He has confirmed that He has received us in Christ, and will honor us because we serve His Son. His eyes are upon the righteous, and His ear is open to their cry. These are His people of preference. They alone receive His Spirit. They alone are the objects of Christ's intercession. It is not possible to disregard these people and still be harmony with Him, theological positions notwithstanding. Therefore, loving the brethren becomes the undeniable proof that God abides in us. He is thus doing through us things to which He is said to be devoted.
Love has more to do with WHO we are that what we DO. While our love for the brethren is commanded, it is, in fact, a Divine expression through us. It is our evidence that God is abiding in us, and His attitude toward His people is being brought to fruition through us.
If a person is not able to receive that form of reasoning, then take hold on the Word itself, for that is what it says. "If we love one another . . . His love is perfected in us." It is IN the love of the people of God that the Divine nature is most precisely and thoroughly revealed. That love is most in harmony with the great salvation that is in Christ Jesus, and will be the point when our sonship is made known.
PRAYER POINT: Father, I love Your people, and yet I long to be more mature in that love. In the name of Jesus, continue to teach me to love those You have received.