I have shared recently how I have really been wrapped up in 1 John 4:14-18. I put some thoughts out in this article and this article. You can also listen to the 2 messages I shared with our church here and here.

In all of this, I have been closely drawn to the reality that God actually wants us to know, truly know, that He loves us. No if’s, and’s or but’s about it. Plenty of us, or all of us, go through times and seasons of doubt with all sorts of things. But I am convinced our Father wants us, as His dear children, to know that He actually loves us. This is one of the things John is trying to get across in these handful of verses in 1 John 4.

And John was persuaded that the Father wanted us to know this same life-changing love, this love that he himself both knew and believed (see vs16), knew and believed as he saw, listened to, and touched the word of life become flesh (see 1:1). Even more, this perfect love, actually gives confidence towards the Father and destroys fear (and a whole host of other things).

You see, I thought I would remain in 1 John 4 for quite some time, and while it is deeply embedded in me, I was taken into Song of Solomon last week. And that’s where I find myself frequently, not being able to get away from 2:10-15. Continue reading →