1 John 4:16
So we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him
“…to know and believe.” Today, we tend to emphasize “believe” because it is required for salvation, but put way too little or no emphasis on “know.”
Proverbs teaches us that knowing God leads to us loving God, which leads us to wanting to obey God.
It is living in obedience that allows us to abide in love. And abiding in love means God is abiding in us and we are abiding in him.
Abide- stay, remain, dwell. Why do we think we want anything more? All of the things, people, and experiences we pursue and none of them will come close to abiding in love. The high from them all fades, but with God we can stay, remain, and dwell.
And this verse is telling us how to do it by knowing God and the love he has for us. Spend time reading about him and his character—faithful, just, all powerful, steadfast, trustworthy, forgiving, loving.
Think about the creation of the heavens and earth (Genesis 1, Job 38). Think about the beauty and intricacy of nature. And think about the perfect sacrifice of Jesus who willingly laid down his life for us as the only way we could be restored to God.
Know, believe, and abide.
Adjustment: Grow your relationship with God so you can abide in love