The Father’s great love should both amaze and instruct us. (Part Two)

From the heart of Dr. Robert L. Taylor, Th.D., Bible expositor & teacher. John says to every believer, “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him” (1 John 3:1). The Father’s great love also should instruct us about our relationships with one another. John then notes why unbelievers do not “know” believers: Unbelievers do not know Jesus. As used by John, the idea of “knowing” involves more than just information. It refers to a sense of intimacy, fellowship, and connection. The unbelieving world does not have a relationship with Jesus. Therefore, they have no relationship with His children. God's children are to become increasingly like the Father, regardless of whether others recognize us. This is Paul’s thinking when he says, “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma” (Ephesians 5:1-2). Imitate God by walking in love, with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross as your great example! To find more specifics about how the Father’s love instructs us, go to Paul’s great chapter on love (1 Cor. 13:4-8a). He says, “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails….” Can you substitute your name in place of “love”? (“Robert is patient,” etc.) Those qualities should increasingly describe your relationships with others. So John shows us that the Father’s great love should both amaze and instruct us. Stop and behold it often! Be encouraged!