A Clay Jar

Encouraging, comforting, and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. (1 Thess. 2:12 NIV)

God Lives in Us If We Love One Another

1 John 4:12

Published on:

Last updated on:

No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God resides in us, and his love is perfected in us.

1 John 4:12 NET

As humans, we are incapable of seeing God. Our physical senses cannot perceive the spiritual realm. There are some in the Scripture who have seen a physical manifestation of God. But no one has seen him in his full majesty and glory.

John is writing to believers, those who have given their lives to God’s keeping. And, John says, if we love one another, God will live in us. I may not be able to see him, but I can know his indwelling presence through the Holy Spirit (1 John 4:13). As believers, we can live in union with the unseeable God.

But, as John likes to do, he tells us there is a vital condition–if we love one another. Is it possible to be a child of God without loving his other children? Over and over in this short letter, John makes it clear that those who fail to love are not in a relationship with God. To love my fellow believers is not optional.

To love my fellow believers does not mean that I have warm, cuddly feelings for them. I cannot make myself have an emotional attachment to another person. But I can choose to come alongside my fellow brothers and sisters and help them, laying down my life for them.

And when I do that, God’s love will be perfected in me. As I love others, God’s love is flowing through me. And it does not leave me unchanged. As I love others, God’s love cleans away the dross and impurities in my life, conforming me to his image. His love will be perfected, or completed, in me.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been fathered by God and knows God. The person who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

1 John 4:7-8 NET

Related Posts

Regarding Disputable Matters – Romans 14:5-6a

In general, when faced with disputable matters, let your conscience be your guide. But act in a loving way toward others who look up to you.

While We Were Still Sinners – Romans 5:8

Even while I was still a sinner, an enemy of God, he loved me, and Jesus died for me. Not because of who I was. But because of who he is.

Welcoming and Eating with Sinners – Luke 15:1-2

Rather than judging others unworthy of God’s love, I need to follow Jesus’ example and share his love- even with sinners and tax collectors.

He Knows My Name – John 10:3

Jesus knows my name, and calls me by my name. This is more than just being able to identify me. It means he knows and cares about me.

Additional Related Posts

If you have found value in this post, please consider sharing it with your friends.

Subscribe to A Clay Jar

If you have found value in this post, please consider subscribing to A Clay Jar so that you don't miss any other posts. 

Just an old clay jar that God continues to see fit to use in his kingdom's work. I am retired, married with 2 children, and 4 grandchildren. I have followed Jesus for many years. And I love to share what He has given me from His word.

A Note to Readers

The views expressed here are solely mine and do not necessarily reflect those of any other person, group, or organization. While I believe they reflect the teachings of the Bible, I am a fallible human and subject to misunderstanding. Please feel free to leave any comments or questions about this post in the comments section below. I am always interested in your feedback.

Leave a Comment