A New Kind of Love

By Hazel Holland

Where is God made visible? The apostle John tells us that,  "If we love one another, then God abides in us, and his love is made complete” (1 John 4:11-16). Does this mean that His love reaches its final end in us when the indwelling Spirit of God becomes visible as we manifest love one to another? Then Paul reminds us, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the debt to love one another" (Romans 13:8).

No one has any idea that God is around as long as we are only nice to our friends or to those who are nice to us.  But when we are nice to those who are nasty to us, and return good for evil, then people get the sense that God is close at hand.  When we start being patient, thoughtful, and considerate of those who are stubborn, obstinate, and selfish, then people get the sense that God is in the situation.  Then God's Spirit in us becomes visible to them.

But we can only love like this if we have the life of God within us. God in us can love through us and will love through us.  All He is waiting for is for us to be willing.  Then He will do the loving.♥