Emphasis

The emphasis at our assembly should always be Love. God’s love, our love for Him, our love for others, and of course, His love for others as well. God’s love matters. If you’re thinking to yourself, ‘Here we go again… church is turning into a big love-fest…where is this God’s love emphasis really going exactly?’ Good question. My answer comes directly from God’s Word. 1 John 4.16 tells us— “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us.” 

What a fantastic goal that is—reaching that place where we know that God is love in an intimate way. I pray you come to know and believe, in a new way, the love that God has for you. Nothing could make any more significance in your life. It is something we must emphasize constantly.

Think with me about some of the things that are hidden. Treasure is hidden. My keys seem hidden at times. Think of things that are hidden. We have here treasures, keys, if you would in the words of out text. First, notice: “have known”.  John is describing his personal experience from the past. Do you know His love intimately? Do you remember when it all started and what that fresh faith felt like? Is there a specific time when you can say yes, I trusted Christ as my personal savior. Do you know it for sure? But not that only. The word used later in that same phrase is: “hath”. This makes it a continual experience. Do you still know what it means personally? In other words, in our modern English, you would say— “There was a time in my life when I knew Him personally. I comprehend the depth of His love for me.” Or, you don’t know Him like that? Maybe you know Him, but not that well?

It’s true for many; they know a lot of things about God’s love. And they are consciously aware that God is love, but here’s the thing— Do you know Him intimately? Depth is the thought here in this passage. Have you grown closer? Or, are you unaware of His personal presence even now? The word “know” means more than just information, more than just some facts like the recipe for an omelet. This knowing is savoring the omelet. It’s intimate. It’s personal. It’s deep. You should be able to say— ‘now I know like I didn’t know, and I’m still finding more out’.It should be a daily refreshed experience. 

When John says “known” then, he is pointing to a level of relationship and intimacy that is deep and satisfying. Not only knowing it theoretically, or theologically, but also knowing Him like a best friend. Is this the condition of your heart? Is this the condition of your relationship with Him?  John said— “…and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” This is the earmark of a Christian. To dwell in love is to dwell in God. “dwelleth” is showing a process. Are you dwelling more with Him and He more in you? Yes, I said ‘more’. A relationship that is deep is one growing in depth. 

This brings me to my final thought… Is this process increasing or has it plateaued? No other relationship in the universe is more important. No other person should mean more to you than this one. Do you know Him? Really know Him? How deep? Emphasize this each and every day. Make it the priority. You won’t regret it.