WEDNESDAY

1 John 4:7-12

• How are you going to show God’s love?

In an episode of the old sitcom The Office, gossip entrenches the workplace. By minute 18, the entire cast of characters are furious and confused by all of the rumors swirling around the office. “Let’s get to the bottom of this. Let’s pick a rumor and trace it back to the beginning,” Pam suggests. The group recalls the grapevine: “I heard that from Andy,” Creed admits. “I heard it from Erin,” Andy cops. “I heard it from Michael,” Erin confesses. And, voila! The villain is revealed.

A similar structure is described in 1 John when it comes to love, except this transfer is much more wholesome: Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.

God sent Jesus because God loves us. Jesus was the embodiment of love. Both of these f igures inspire love in us, and therefore, when we show love, it can ultimately be traced back to God, because God is love.

Show someone love today in honor of God loving you.