1 John 4:7-21 ~ whoever loves has been born of God and knows God

1 John 4:7-21

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because 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. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

We love because he first loved us.

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Of course, you love your child. What is so surprising is going to your first teacher conference and suddenly you are struck - not everyone adores your child. This is a first time your child is not getting little gold stars.

How could they not adore your child??? This child is filled with curiosity, light, wonder, questions, listening, obeying, this is a CHILD after all. You are incredulous your child is not adored by the teacher your child adores.

Romans 8:1-39
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

In fact, you suddenly realize the teacher does not like teaching and feels overworked. And is quite unintelligent. Perhaps even needs more education in teaching. And they seem a bit too wrapped up in themselves. Suddenly you feel sorry for your child - having this unintelligent, complaining, self absorbed, uninformed teacher.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

And you suddenly realize, for the first time, your calling as a parent.

John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Ok, surely there are faults with the child. After all this child is human, right?

1 John 4:10
In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

The child, Your Child, is supposed to be a Child. What is Wrong with the educational system today?

Psalm 118:6
The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

Psalm 147:3
He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Your very own child is a 'good heart', you will prevail in this and go home and help your child.

How will you tell your child about their favorite teacher???

Isaiah 43:4-5
Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you.

Ok, back to balance.  This is a kiddo you discipline, too.

James 3:17
Wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Oh that. Well.

Proverbs 21:23
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

James 3:2-10
For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 

So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell


Now speak to the teacher about this - - -

Psalm 141:3
Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

Balance, before you speak... consider...

Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

... And... reply... deep breathe...about your child's honest virtue and humanity...

1 Peter 3:10
For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile







Whew.

Wot?

There is obviously, 'a failure to communicate'.

Time to step back and think about how the post parent teacher conference is going to be explained at home.

1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

And of course on the ride home, you are suddenly realizing - this childhood perfection is going to have bumps and bruises. Ups and downs. It's not just that you are the parent - this is life. The golden glow of cruise control is fading.

Luke 21:36
But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.

Hosea 2:21
And in that day I will answer, declares the LORD, I will answer the heavens, and they shall answer the earth

This child is your responsibility for a long time to come.




Isaiah 40

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and cry to her
that her warfare is ended,
that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the LORD’s hand
double for all her sins.

3 A voice cries:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
5And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”


6A voice says, “Cry!”
And I said,c “What shall I cry?”
All flesh is grass,
and all its beauty is like the flower of the field.
7The grass withers, the flower fades
when the breath of the LORD blows on it;
surely the people are grass.
8The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.




Our Abba,

This child is me. This child is us. This is the tender love a Parent, Mighty Ancient of Days, has for me and for you. Named before you were born. Pages of Life covering my life, written in Your Book of Life.

Such Great Love - You have sent Your Son for me.

In our everyday cares and in our Perils, You are our willing Father and refuge. Knowing Perils define us, expecting life to be life. And You, Father God, to help with expectancy.

You are for us. Understanding as we work out our lives, You have the plan and see the greater destiny and decision. Abba, You have been known to cry, "How often I have longed to gather you closely, tenderly, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you should be willing."

You, O LORD, are enthroned forever;
you are remembered throughout all generations.
You will arise and have pity on Your Beloved;
it is the time to favor us.

The appointed time has come.
For Your messengers hold even our walls and boundaries and failings, dear.
Have pity on our frailties, even to dust.

We will Live and See Jesus as King.
Nations will fear the name of the LORD,
and all the kings of the earth will fear Your glory.

Because Your Joy is our Strength,
You, the LORD builds up Zion;
Our Redeemer Lives.
You appear in Your glory.

On the very bad, terrible, no good day
You regard the prayer of the destitute
and do not despise their prayer.

Let this be recorded for a generation to come!
so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD.

Our Abba, has looked down from his holy height;
from heaven the LORD looked at the earth,

We Love because He has first Loved me! And this is the Reason Father God is providing a path to Life. Eternal Life. Providing us Love that we will fully and completely see - you are Loved.

And In Jesus Christ, our Alleluia shall be sung Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves!  †