Love On: A Study Through 1 JohnSample

By Cortney Gurr

“This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.”—1 John 4:13–15 (NIV)

Have you ever looked at a picture or randomly been somewhere and seen someone and said, “I know that person”? Maybe you can’t put your finger on where you know them from, but you are certain you recognize them, that you’ve had some sort of experience involving them in the past. 

When you think of the Spirit of God, can you say, “I know Him”? Can you look at your life and recognize His presence, His footprint, His work? Have you had an inexplicable experience of feeling the presence of God around you and even within you? If not, you’re probably like, “What the heck is this girl on . . . “ but before writing me off as a crunchy spiritualist, let me explain.

The Spirit of God is a gift. It’s literally the presence of God manifested in and around us. It only makes sense that the Creator of heaven and earth comes with a wave of His capability when He enters a room. Maybe you’ve sat in church and felt a wave of unexplainable peace wash over you, or maybe you got choked up in service for seemingly no reason but something tugged at your soul and it led to an emotional response. Maybe you’ve been filled with joy that bubbles over while singing praises or serving or loving others, so much so that you know it’s something from outside of yourself. Maybe you’ve been giving advice or sharing counsel with someone in need and wisdom comes upon you and you speak with authority and confidence that you know is not your own. That is the Spirit of God! He brings His attributes wherever He goes, and we are the receivers of those things—peace, joy, love . . . the list goes on. And here’s the thing: the closer you grow in relationship to the Lord, the more you’re conformed to the image of Christ, the more your heart is transformed by the Spirit of Christ in you, the more you’ll be able to sense and experience His presence, and the more you’ll see His work. 

The Spirit’s attributes are gifts manifested through human experience that we can’t conjure up on our own; they are evidence of Him working actively in and through us. 

If you have had a similar experience, or if you intentionally and regularly practice the presence of God, then that is your reassurance of salvation. His peace is reassuring. His joy is reassuring. His protection, wisdom, and comfort are all reassuring. They are evidence that He is with us, in us, and working intentionally through us. 

DIG: Research the Spirit of God and get to know Him. Start with Matthew 3:16, Exodus 3:13, and Psalm 139:7. Then, get the book I referred to within the devo.

DISCOVER: Can you say you’ve had an experience with the Spirit of God? Are you assured of your salvation? It’s absolutely possible that you are saved but just haven’t known about the depth of God’s presence and therefore haven’t recognized these experiences as His Spirit. Ask the Lord to show His spirit to you in a new way.

DO: After searching for the manifestation of God’s presence in your own life, actively seek opportunities to share your salvation in Him with others through the gifts He gives—peace in the midst of chaos, wisdom amidst confusion, joy amidst suffering. The character traits of God go with you and speak of His goodness, so don’t close yourself off to people. Open yourself up and let His Spirit shine through your life.