1 John 4:19

Sons;

An important concept in our Christian life can be see by looking at 1 John 4:19 - "We love, because He first loved us."  This is a rather simple statement, we might think, but it does deserve some thought.  John is putting our ability to love others (to put others' needs before ourselves, to value them and sacrifice for them) squarely on the shoulders of Jesus' death on the cross.  That is the ultimate expression of love.  Think about it: Jesus put others - God's command to Him, and our need for salvation - above His own physical comfort, indeed His own life.  In accepting that (confessing it), we gain access to God's love via the Holy Spirit.  With me so far?

Only if we have the Holy Spirit in our lives can we truly duplicate this kind of love, but it is this kind of love that we must show to the world.  It is especially crucial when we think about our roles as men - leaders, husbands, fathers.  How can we love our families sacrificially if we don't have the Spirit to give us the power to do so?  That's John's point - we can't.  We otherwise would remain greedy, shallow, and in all ways caught in the "sin" that is natural to us.

Now, as fellow Christians, you already have access to the ability to love like Jesus.  However, ability and practice are two totally different things.  I have the ability to play the piano, and in fact quite well.  However, I have not put this into practice in years, and so if I sat down at a piano today I would be able to only do very basic things.  Love is the same way - we have to practice at it; we can't expect it to suddenly and totally manifest itself full-grown.  

At the same time, you need to be aware of this concept when the time comes for you to consider some woman as being your wife. You can love her as Jesus loves the church (see Paul for more details) because you are a Christian.  If she is not, how can she love you the same way in return?  This is the Bible's concept of "unequally yoked" put into action, and a reminder - your relationships, especially very personal ones - should be with Christians.

Practice love, sons, in all that you do, with everyone you see.  It makes you obedient to God, it makes you righteous, and it will make you happy and satisfied in life.

Love,

Dad