God is Love - Are We Abiding in His Love?

By Pamela Morton Palmer

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son; that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish; but, have eternal life (John 3:16). This verse has been recited, paraphrased, and heard throughout many years in many churches. What does it actually mean? I have been taught that this verse ensures our salvation. I have been told that this verse tell us that God loves us, gave His son to the world, and all we have to do is believe in these two facts. Is it just that simple? Can we just believe this verse or do we have to live it. Over the years, I have come to learn that "believe" in this verse consist of knowing God is love and abiding in His love.

God is love (1 John 4:8-9). This verse is the perfect example of the very essence of our heavenly Father. It was God's original plan to have a loving relationship with us. Once mankind rejected this relationship because of sin, God made a way for man to get back in His rightful relationship with Him through His son, Jesus Christ. This act of love was not because we earned it or even deserved it. God's very being is love and that is why there has to be atonement for sin. Sin is the direct opposite of the essence of God. We should be thankful that God loved us enough to give us a "means of escape" from sin and provide an avenue through Jesus Christ to love Him. As a believer, we should live a life to the glory of our heavenly Father and be a witness to the world of the blessing in abiding in His love through our faith and obedience (2 Corinthians 6:3). Because of our acceptance of the gift of salvation, we can eternally rest in the love of our Father through Jesus Christ.

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