It is God’s love that is the cord that binds us all together in Christ Jesus, of whom we are the body as a church. He is the chief cornerstone that the builders rejected but has become the cornerstone. As it is written:
“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
(Psalm 118:22–24; see also Matthew 21:42; Ephesians 2:20)
Today, we are called to walk humbly in God’s love that is in us, so that God may dwell in us and remain in us, for God is love (1 John 4:16).
As it is written:
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!”
(1 John 3:
God’s love for us has been shown through Christ dying on the cross for the full forgiveness of our sins. While we were enemies of God in our minds because of our sinful nature, Christ reconciled us to God through His death. As it is written:
“While we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”
(Romans 5:10; see also Colossians 1:21–22)
How much more will He not do for us now that we are saved, redeemed and being daily sanctified by the Word of God, which is living and active and gives life through the Spirit (Hebrews 4:12; John 6:63)?
When we love one another, God lives in us, and His love is made complete in us. His presence and power are manifested through the love we show to one another:
“If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
(1 John 4:12)
How can we say that we love God, whom we do not see, but hate our brothers and sisters whom we can see, who are made in the image of God? God values them so much that He sent His Son to die on the cross for the full forgiveness of the sins of mankind.
As it is written:
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.”
(1 John 4:20)
From the beginning, God created mankind in His own image (Genesis 1:27). Through sin, mankind became separated from God in the fall in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1–24). But through Jesus Christ, we have been reconciled back to God.
Therefore, let us walk humbly in the love of God, loving Him and loving one another, for “God is love.” Let His love dwell richly in us and be manifested through our lives, so that others may see Christ in us and glorify our Father in heaven (Colossians 3:14; Matthew 5:16).