AbideinLovePastor’sDesk–May19,2019

1John4:13;16“BythisweknowthatweabideinHim,andHeinus,becauseHehasgivenusofHisSpirit…Godislove,andhewhoabidesinloveabidesinGod,andGodinhim.”As human beings, we inherit many characteristic traits from our parents. Themomentwe are born again and declare that Jesus is Lord,we instantly inheritdistinctivecharactertraitsfromourheavenlyFather.Thestrongestqualityoutofthemall:LOVE!The apostlewho received love (John) came to understand love as the definingcharacteristicofthoseinthefamilyofGod.Herein1stJohn,heresumesthesubjectof loveforone’sbrother.Heemphasizesthat love isaduty,consistentwiththecharacterofGod.Ashasbeenmentionedpreviously, John isnotthinkingofthe

lovethatiscommontoallmenbutofthatlovetothechildrenofGodwhichhasbeenimplantedinthosewhohavebeenbornagain.Andwhenweloveoneanother,Hisloveisperfectedinus.ThismeansthatGod’sloveforushasachieveditsgoal.WeareneverintendedtobeterminalsofGod’sblessings,butchannelsonly.God’sloveisgiventous,notthatwemightreserveitforourselves,butthatitmightbepouredoutthroughustoothers.Whenweloveoneanotherinthisway,thatisproofthatweareinHim,andHeinus,andthatwearepartakersofHisSpirit.WeshouldpausetomarvelatHisdwellinginusandourdwellinginHim.NocloserrelationshipispossiblethanforapersontoabideinGodandtohaveGodabidinginhim.Wemightcompareit,inthenaturalrealm,topokerinthefire,aspongeinthewater,oraballoonintheair.Ineachcase,theobjectisinanelement,andtheelementisintheobject.Mayweconsistentlyabide in thepresenceand loveof theAlmightyOne,beingpatientwithoneanother,showingGodlyloveinallourconduct,astestimonythatweabideinHim,andHeinus.AtHisservice,Pr.TeddyF.Santos