God Is Love
GOD IS LOVE
"God is Love." This simple yet complex statement is found only twice1, 2 in the Bible and is commonly presented out of context. It is generally misunderstood and often circulated in a fashion that leads many into Hell. The statement –while very easy to make and accept when presented in its undefined form– has a depth of reality far beyond what the average person wants to know even though such knowledge is critical to salvation. 1. "Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love." [1 John 4:8 ] 2. "We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us*.
God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him." [1 John 4:16]
* This usage of the term "us" refers only to men of faith. In the following important prelude to the above passages the term "if" is used five (5) times. Entry into eternal life must always be considered as conditional:
"Now this is the message that we have heard from him and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say, "We have fellowship with him," while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin. If we say, "We are without sin," we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins,3 he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing. If we say, "We have not sinned," we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." [1 John 1:5-10] 3. "Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." [John 20:23] — This authority was given by Jesus to the eleven apostles –even though only ten were present at the time– and to their validly ordained successors on Easter Sunday during His first visitation with them. All validly ordained priests (also known by the terms presbyters and elders) have
"God is Love." This simple yet complex statement is found only twice1, 2 in the Bible and is commonly presented out of context. It is generally misunderstood and often circulated in a fashion that leads many into Hell. The statement –while very easy to make and accept when presented in its undefined form– has a depth of reality far beyond what the average person wants to know even though such knowledge is critical to salvation. 1. "Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love." [1 John 4:8 ] 2. "We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us*.
God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him." [1 John 4:16]
* This usage of the term "us" refers only to men of faith. In the following important prelude to the above passages the term "if" is used five (5) times. Entry into eternal life must always be considered as conditional:
"Now this is the message that we have heard from him and proclaim to you: God is light, and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say, "We have fellowship with him," while we continue to walk in darkness, we lie and do not act in truth. But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of his Son Jesus cleanses us from all sin. If we say, "We are without sin," we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we acknowledge our sins,3 he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from every wrongdoing. If we say, "We have not sinned," we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." [1 John 1:5-10] 3. "Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained." [John 20:23] — This authority was given by Jesus to the eleven apostles –even though only ten were present at the time– and to their validly ordained successors on Easter Sunday during His first visitation with them. All validly ordained priests (also known by the terms presbyters and elders) have