you are only able to truly love when you truly have been loved. we human
beings need this natural channel to receive in order to give. none of
us have the capacity to give without at some point receiving, to serve
after being served, and to care only after being cared for. i'm sure it
must be at the core of human psychology, the necessity to give
significance after one receives significance.
isn't that the way of Father's love toward us? isn't that what Jesus
received and what allowed Him to give? ...in receiving God's love, we
able to love others, and in some ways, not become jealous, malicious, or
indifferent towards them - we can somewhat actively care.
you see, true love IS About US, About Him, and About others. it does not
remain in us - it is not static. true love is free, given away. love
is the priceless gift that transforms, renews, and inspires. it is the
undergirding power of God that allows the restoration of fallen life, to
satisfy justice, yet offer grace and mercy. it is the way we are
admitted and received into the Kingdom, and become privileged bearers
and participants of its expansion.
gear
1 John 4:9-12, 19
9This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 11Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
19We love because he first loved us.