Divine Love is Irresistible to the Human Spirit
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear…” 1 John 4:18 There is something very unique and intimate hidden in the writings of John; the youngest disciple of Jesus. It could be that there was something very innocent and naïve about John when he began to follow Jesus. Maybe the world had not yet tainted his heart so his writings resembles the purity of that relationship.
In his letters that are included in the Bible, John makes three very powerful observations about G-d. First he says, G-d is spirit (John 4:24), secondly he says, G-d is light (1 John 1:5), and lastly he says, G-d is love (1 John 4:8). There seems to be a progression of intimacy hidden in these three observations. John’s final observation being the most relatable to human existence. ‘G-d is love’ is irresistible because love is irresistible and it’s amazing that our Father designed us in His image so that we would function (spiritually, mentally and physically) and respond best when we sense love. Strangely enough when love comes we are skeptical and analytical. We test it over and over to see if it’s real. Yet so many of us function, live and embrace fear without any hesitation. This is alarming but this is mostly because we only experience human (emotional) love.
Emotional love is inspired (by something or someone) and therefore it can expire. When we first received human love it was overwhelming, amazing, and intoxicating until it expired. The more this cycle repeats itself the less we believe in love until we don’t believe in it at all. That’s because all inspiration has an expiration. But the love of G-d that John is referring to is not emotional. This love is a fact based upon a choice to exhibit a complete acceptance of another being without restrictions.
Here’s how John describes G-d’s love: “In this the love of G-d was manifested toward us, that G-d has sent His only begotten Son into the world…” 1 John 4:9. The key word here is “manifest” or phaneroo in Greek. It means to become, to make actual, to realize, or to make known. So G-d made His love factual by “doing something”. He chose to send His son as proof. The fact of His love is now established in this choice and it has no expiration. In other words it does not matter how He feels later, He cannot undo His choice. This is a different kind of love. This love is “high risk” because it says that “no matter what happens in the future, I have made my choice.” This kind of love is irresistible and should be contagious.
In 1 John 4:17-18, John uses the word perfect to describe this kind of love. The word here (teleioo/teleios) in Greek means complete or needing nothing additional. So anyone who has experienced the love of G-d knows that the choice He made needs nothing additional to make it a reality. It is a compelling reality all on its own! “That G-d was in Christ reconciling the world back to Himself…” 2 Corinthians 5:19. With this kind of love there is no concern of being judged by G-d. Why would He reveal His love in such a dramatic way and then still judge you? He further says that this kind of love expels fear and this makes total sense. Since we know that emotionally our brain is designed to either function from the base emotion of love or fear. If it is functioning from love, fear is automatically expelled. So if you are demonstrating fear it is a sign that you have not accepted the fact that G-d loves you completely.
Now imagine that you have received this love from Him and begin to show it to others. Not because its easy but because it is your reality. Remember, it is not emotional based upon inspiration. It is a fact based upon a choice! Imagine giving or receiving this kind of love on earth from a stranger or even a friend. This kind of love is irresistible and contagious.
This incredible revelation is what the world needs right now. People need to experience and realize the love of G-d; without it fear will continue to paralyze them. Fear is such an amazing emotion because most times it doesn’t need a lot of facts to be effective. It just needs an unstable imagination. Presently, we are seeing it’s effects all over the world. What the world needs now is an anecdote. Not as much for a virus as for the spirit of fear. The anecdote is love. That’s what the world needs now…love sweet love!
Shalom, NB