“The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” – 1 John 4:8 NASB1995

““God is love” is not an old saw, it is biblical affirmation. It does not depersonalize the Almighty by replacing Him with an idea or an emotion. To the contrary, it defines His nature.

““God is love” says that anything and everything that answers to the finest qualities of true love flows from Him. He is the source of all real love. He is also the judge of all that would call itself love and by its counterfeit seek to deceive minds and destroy hearts.

“What is His call to us? “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11).” (Jack Hayford)

There is very little that I have read from Jack Hayford that I cannot stand in agreement with. Disagreement does not necessarily mean that we cannot walk together and encourage one another in the truth of God. It is opportunity for us to grow together as iron sharpens iron.

God knows that we will not understand the fullness of His truth this side of standing face to face with Him. His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and His ways than our ways (Isaiah 55:9). As we who follow Christ grow, we can help one another to find truth and unity in our understanding through love that practices patience and overcomes obstacles. It is a journey we are all on as we seek after God.

Disunity is not God‘s desire for His people. He expects us to sit down together and discover His truth. The fellowship of believers is vital to our maturity and to unity of the Faith. May we be found faithful in that task.

Father, thank You so very much that You grow us through Your Word, line upon line, day by day, and step by step as we continually seek after You. Deliver us from every falsehood, and lead us to fullness of truth as You continually perfect us until the day of Christ. And as we grow, may the walls of division be toppled as unity of love prevails and truth wins out. In Jesus, amen.