
1 John 4:7-8 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.
As believers we are called to love one another. Love is everything. If God did not love us He never would have made a path to redemption for us. But He loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son to die for us and save our souls.
But what does that have to do with grace?
One could argue that they are the same. Without love there would be no grace. Love is an emotion, while grace is a gift. But without love and care and compassion, there would be no extending of grace, no free gift of forgiveness or salvation. You could even go so far as to say grace would not be possible without love.
Love and grace both come from God. We love others as He loves us, and we grant them grace wherever possible as a result of that love. They cannot earn your grace, just as we cannot earn it from God. But because we have love and are called to love others in the same way He loved us, we freely give grace.
John concludes his verse with a sentence that carries a lot of weight – whoever does not love does not know God. Love is a choice we make, just as grace is. I don’t want to be accused of not knowing God because I don’t show love to others. Therefore, I will do my best to give grace whenever possible and show love.
What do you think? Are the two separate issues or are they linked?
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