Faith & Love: A One Year Bible Reading Plan - Part 11Sample

Today’s Chapter is 1 John 4, and today’s verse of the day is:

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him]." 1 John 4:7

John has such a deep understanding of the Heart of God. After all, he is the disciple who physically heard the heartbeat of Jesus. (John 13:23)

What he shares with us in this chapter teaches us two things that profoundly affect our daily lives.

1. GOD IS LOVE

If the very source of love rests in God, our ability to understand it, to express it, and to experience it is a direct consequence of our relationship with and proximity to the Father.

2. LOVE IS OUR NATURE

Imagine your toddler coming home from school one day with a new word in her repertoire. A filthy word. One you do not use at home. It’s upsetting because it contradicts her nature. She is mimicking something that was modeled by someone other than her source, her essence. If God is our source and His essence is Love, our very nature is love. Everything else is a mimicry of negative influence.

What would my nature be if I only mimicked my Father?

What other influences do I allow into my life that affect my nature?

What could I do today to increase my proximity to my Father and allow my true nature to be revealed progressively?