God is Love

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1 John 4:12

God Abides IN US

When I walked away with my expensive seven year Master of Divinity degree that required mastering seven disciplines, I thought I knew something about scripture.

I was certain I had dissected every scripture in the original language.

I didn’t think anything would surprise me. The truth is, my 144 hour degree was just the beginning.

Many years after Seminary there are times when I get slapped in the face with something new. Today was one of those days.

In 1 John 4:12 the Apostle wrote, “No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.”

You have to understand prior to Seminary I was raised in church and I went to church. I memorized scripture. But this scripture had alluded me so I looked up the Koine Greek. The “woody” translation says ‘God no one at any time has seen if we should love one another God in us abides and the love of him having been perfected in us IS.’

I thought about all the programs and three step plans to attain salvation I’d been taught in various churches. See…I am a searching sort and I have been in or been a member of just about every denomination in the western world. No one ever said if I were to love my neighbor (really love) the love of God is in me and God will perfect His love in me.

No one ever.

I don’t know about you, but it was a huge realization. After taking all those classes all those years, the bottom line is LOVE.

Just love one another.

Whoda thought God would make it so simple?

I don’t know about you, but Ima bottom line kinda girl.

I like simple.

Love. Just love makes it clear and easy to remember. Just love.

Deborah

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