1 John 4:7-8 reminds us of the profound significance of love in our lives.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 John 4:7-8

In these two short verses, the word “love” is used five times, emphasizing the central message of the passage. It calls us to love one another because love originates from God, and those who love demonstrate their connection to Him. The very essence of God is love, and to truly know Him means to embody and express this divine love in our interactions with others.

Firstly, it’s important to understand the context of 1 John. Located towards the end of the Bible, after Hebrews, James, and Peter, 1 John is written by the same John who authored the Gospel. In this section, John focuses on the foundation of brotherly love, emphasizing the Greek concept of “agape” love. Agape represents the fatherly love of God for humans and our reciprocal love for God. It is a selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love that surpasses other forms of love, such as erotic or brotherly love.

John begins by addressing the readers as “beloved,” establishing an immediate connection.

This highlights the importance of building relationships based on love and trust. Jesus taught us the two greatest commandments in Matthew 22: to love God and love others. While loving God may come more naturally, loving one another poses challenges.

Think about the difficult individuals we encounter—those who cut us off in traffic, take credit for our work, or have consistently bullied us. It’s easy to question whether we are truly expected to love them. In our own strength, it may seem impossible. However, when we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ, a transformation occurs within our hearts. The Holy Spirit indwells us, enabling us to grow closer to God and increasingly show love to others.

Love is the first fruit of the Spirit, demonstrating its primary importance in our lives.

To grasp the depth of 1 John 4:7-8, we must consider the verses that follow. John reminds us that God sent His Son into the world to offer us life. Jesus became the propitiation for our sins, bridging the gap created by sin. God’s ultimate act of love covers our shortcomings, reminding us of our own need for grace and mercy.

Knowing that we are born of God, our actions should reflect the love we have received. While this doesn’t mean we must say “I love you” to every person who annoys us, it challenges us to respond with love instead of anger. Rather than reacting with curses, we can bless those who frustrate us. By speaking love over them, we free ourselves from the bondage of anger and wrath.

This is not of God, and the Enemy uses it to hinder us from fulfilling our calling. Instead, let us hold our heads high, acknowledging the love that God shows us each day. As we allow His love to flow through us, others will witness the transformation within us.

Unleashing the Lion Within means living out the truth that God is love, and we are called to love one another. Let love guide your words, actions, and relationships. Through love, we become living testimonies of God’s grace and mercy. We bridge divides, bring healing, and offer hope to a broken world.

Today, choose to love one another intentionally.

Seek opportunities to extend grace, forgiveness, and compassion. Embrace the transformative power of love, which can impact not only your life but also the lives of those around you. By truly knowing God through love, you unleash the Lion Within and become the courageous, compassionate, and Christ-like individual He created.