12-23-14 God's Love in Jesus 1 John 4

12/23     1 John 4:9            God Loves by Sending His Son
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. (1 John 4:9)

Thoughts: That God loved us is something we might guess is right.  We may want it to be so and imagine it.  But Jesus coming removed all doubt of God’s love.  The Father sent the Son- and we are not the same.  His love broke through the coldness of time and space.  Because He was born we may be born again.  Because He lives we can live now and live into the future with hope and confidence. 
       The essence of Christianity is played out in that great verse: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”  This is Christmas.  It is God’s showing His love by giving.  It is why we give gifts- in reflection of His greatest gift. 
       The gift of His Son is not just an example of living.  It is a real gift of real life.  Jesus helps us to live now- to quit being distracted by the unhealthy and trivial things but to see what is really important- and that is God’s love and human love. 

Prayer: Lord, may your love overwhelm my apathy towards you.  Help me to love you in return for your great love for me. 

Application: Jesus set us an example of love.  Think of those who would be effected by your good example of love, and reach out to them with a card, email, or text today.