Skip to main content

Perfect Love

And all the ones having this, hope in him, purifying themselves just as he exists pure.*

What hope do we have in Christ? If we did not have any hope we would be pitied among men and any attempt to be pure would be vanity. We know that one day we will be like him. What is he like? in context he is pure. "At the present time we exist children of God and it is not yet manifested what we will exist, knowing that when manifested existing like him, because we see him just as he exists."* Yes, we are born of God but do not exist fully like him, he has a glorified body, one in which there is no sickness, no death, and no sin, he exists pure, whole. Surely we have this hope, one day we will be like him. John is writing all those having, possessing this in him, these who have this hope in him. So with this insight what do those who hope in him have? Well, "we exist children of God" so we have the testimony of Spirit, not a spirit of fear, but of love.

See what great love the Father has given us, that we are called the children of God, and so we exist!*

What do we have, the ones that hope in him? faith exists hope, in things unseen. So our faith gives us hope because by faith we know him. Does it not seem a contradiction of purity to exist a child of God and at the same time to live in a corrupt body and in a world that doesn't know him? we have this hope in him, that we will be like him. But what is faith without love? it is nothing. See what great love the Father has given us. This is what we have in him, those who hope in him, we have love and this is what John speaks of.

now hope does not disappoint as the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit the one given to us.*

Paul writes hope is related to the love God has for us, that he pours out into our hearts. This is what John means when he says it is not that we loved God but that he loved us. We experience, know of his great love for us. How do we know he loves us? we are born of God, of Spirit, we have testimony of Spirit. Paul writes that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces proof and proof produces hope and hope doesn't disappoint.* This word for proof is often translated character, as it speaks of a process of being tried and proven. This proving is often said to be a test of genuineness of our faith but I think it is related to the process of growth, to an approved mind... Nevertheless the proving produces hope and hope doesn’t disappoint us as the love of God is poured out into our hearts. So “all the ones having this, hope in him, purify themselves.” This speaks of the love of God.

And upon all these put on love which exists the bond to perfection.*

All the one having this great love of the father are purifying themselves. It is amazing truth, which states we are being perfected in love. Or we are being sanctified by truth in love or our faith is energized in love. “Exists no fear in love but perfect love drives out fear because fear has punishment, now, the one fearing has not been perfected in love.”* We can debate whether there exists a fear of God but the truth is that in the new covenant in his blood, fear is not the beginning of wisdom and understanding, Jesus is. And in Jesus, who is truth, we are being perfected, truth in love, so the one fearing has not been perfected in love. In other words, the one fearing punishment is not mature as fear doesn’t perfect, love does. We did not receive a spirit of fear but of love. Perfect love drives out fear and purifies. In this we see the concept of our perfection, maturity, being in love. Truth is perfecting us in a bond of love. Think about it, if you know someone loves you, there exists a bond, you trust them, so when they speak truth you know their intentions are true, you know that their motives are pure as Paul writes agape love is pure in motive. I believe this is the reason Paul writes tithing in the new covenant is a stumbling block to many.*

In this we know agape love, that he laid down his life on our behalf and also we are obligated to lay down out lives for our brothers.*

This is how we test the spirits, those born of God love his brethren.* Love is not in words only but in action, deeds, so the bond of love is also, more than just in words. And we who know God thus we know what love truly is and the action involved in agape love, in this the manner of God's love is manifested to us. So if we know the love of God, how he love us, we would lay down our lives for our brethren. And this is what Jesus said, “in this all know that you exist my disciples, if you have love in another.”* John relates obedience to following this new commandment to love one another, this important command Jesus gave us. Now, we see perfect love, the bond of love, perfection in love. Those matured in Christ, know the bond of love leads to perfection so they will love as Christ has loved them, the outcome of love is purity in truth. And all the ones having this love, purify themselves.

How He Loves







Popular Posts

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body

The Tripartite Nature of Humanity: Spirit, Soul, and Body in Biblical Understanding The human being, as depicted in the Bible, is a multifaceted creation, often understood through the distinct yet interconnected components of spirit, soul, and body. While some theological perspectives lean towards a bipartite view (soul and body), which we do see in the Old Testament, a careful examination of the New Testament scripture reveals a compelling case for a tripartite understanding, where each is divided into or composed of three parts. Let’s explore the biblical distinction between spirit, soul, and body. The Body: Our Earthly Vessel The body is the physical form that interacts with the material world. From the very beginning, Genesis 2:7 states, " Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being ." This verse clearly establishes the body's origin from the earth, emphasizing its connec...
Read more

Lord, Stand By Me

"... present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness ." 1 This word for present means "I bring, present, come up to and stand by," it is parístēmi (from pará, "from close-beside" and hístēmi, "to stand") – properly, stand close beside, i.e. ready to present (exhibit). I pray Lord stand by me which expresses that I put my trust in Him, or I come up to and stand by Him. We use phrases like surrendering or bowing at the cross to explain such a moment, surely it is a coming to the end of ourselves and it is desirable that I find His will acceptable, but it is important to understand that it is about trust, not my will power, the key is that it is in Christ. The terminology the scriptures use is "present yourselves to God," or come up to and stand by and walk with Him. "... present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this...
Read more

Blessed Are The Forgiven

Blessed! the one whose lawless deeds are forgiven and the one whose sins are covered over, blessed is the man whom sin, the Lord will not consider . * Paul writes David foresaw and spoke " blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered . *  Blessed, is the one whom sin is not considered, this word considered  means "to credit, count, reckon, to set down as a matter of account; regard, think, consider." This blessing comes through faith and according to grace, " also David speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God considers righteousness apart from works ." *  The word for  lawless deeds speaks of the violation of the Law and the word for sin  speaks of missing the mark of God's righteousness. Blessed are those who (by faith in Christ according to grace) have been forgiven. In Him receiving the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of trespasses according to the riches of His grace . * This fundamental ...
Read more

The New Living Way

The New Living Way "... Now, at the present released from the Law, having died in that which held us captive, so that we serve in newness of Spirit and not the old written code " -- Romans 7:16 Paul states that we are now united to Christ in his death and also raised with him into newness of life. What held them captive was sin but also the Law, it was a guardian until the appointed time God would send a Messiah (see School Master ). Paul uses the metaphor of marriage to describe how we are released from the Law; like a wife whose husband dies, now she is released from the Law and can marry another, so also have we died with Christ and are released from the Law and bound to Christ in a new covenant. The purpose of this is that we live in a new living way of the Spirit and not fleshly through the old written code or Mosaic Law. " So then brothers, you also have died to the Law through the body of Christ to the extent you exist by creation of another, the one raising you f...
Read more

Spirit of Life

" Indeed, the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus liberates from the law of sin and death ." 1 This word for liberates "I free, set free, liberate" is from a root word meaning free, exempt, not bound by an obligation. As partakers of God's divine nature, being born of Spirit, we are no longer obligated to the sinful nature but to righteousness which is God's nature. When we believe we receive the Spirit of promise, a guarantee of our inheritance, a great testimony that we are His children, it is a Spirit of Life. " Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life." 24 The Son came not to condemn the world but to save it. "One trespass   led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. " 6 " He was delivered over to death for our trespasses and wa...
Read more

New Testament Growth in Christ: From Foundation to Fullness

  New Testament Growth in Christ: From Foundation to Fullness The New Testament presents a vibrant and multifaceted picture of spiritual growth, not as a static event but as a dynamic, lifelong journey for the believer. This journey, with emphasis on a strong foundation, progresses through a transformative process of maturity forged by endurance, ultimately aiming for the profound goal of experiencing the "fullness of God in Christ." The Foundation: A New Creation The inception of growth in Christ is marked by a radical spiritual new birth, a foundational shift that defines the Christian experience. It is not merely a moral reformation, but a divine act of creation. The apostle Paul declares this truth in 2 Corinthians 5:17 : " Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come ." This new creation is initiated by faith in Jesus Christ, where believers are justified and reconciled to God through His sacrifice. ...
Read more

All Who Are Thirsty

“ Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters;  and he who has no money,  come, buy and eat!  Come, buy wine and milk  without money and without price.  Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,  and your labor for that which does not satisfy?  Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good,  and delight yourselves in rich food. .." (Isaiah 55). " Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price ." Buy is defined as to acquire the ownership of by giving an accepted price or consideration therefore; to accept or believe as true .[ 1 ] When we buy something we consider the price that we must pay, we accept this and purchase the thing we have considered worthy of the sacrifice we make in payment. W e can not buy, with money or price, redemption from t his tragic flaw we are born into. However Jesus paid the price for us, so we buy or accept through consideration, the Greek word is  logizomai.[ 2] ...
Read more

True Widows: A Biblical Perspective

True Widows: A Biblical Perspective Throughout Scripture, God's compassion for widows is evident. He is portrayed as their defender, provider, and source of justice. The Bible repeatedly calls believers to care for widows, reflecting God's own heart for the vulnerable. However, in his letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul provides a specific definition of a "true" widow, emphasizing the church's responsibility in supporting those who are genuinely in need. God's Compassion for Widows The Old Testament is rich with passages that reveal God's concern for widows. In Exodus 22:22, God commands, "You shall not afflict any widow or fatherless child." This verse underscores His protective nature, ensuring that widows are not mistreated or neglected. Similarly, Deuteronomy 10:18 declares, "He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing." Here, God is depicted as a just and loving prov...
Read more

Called According to His Purpose: A Biblical Examination

  Called According to His Purpose: A Biblical Examination 📖 Introduction The phrase “called according to His purpose” appears in Romans 8:28 (ESV), a foundational verse that reads: “And we know that for those loved of God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” This statement gives comfort and more—it is a declaration about identity, destiny, and divine intent. To be “called according to His purpose” means participating in God’s sovereign, redemptive plan. God's plan is being manifested through the church through the "new covenant in his blood" as it was established by the death of Jesus. The calling is not arbitrary or based on human merit, but is rooted in God’s purpose, eternal will and love. 🔍 The Nature of the Calling In Scripture, God's calling is effectual—that is, it accomplishes what He intends. Paul writes: "...those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified,...
Read more

Putting On the New Self

Putting On the New Self Theme: Spiritual Growth & Identity in Christ Key Scripture: “And to put on the new man, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” — Ephesians 4:24 (ESV) 🕊️ Day’s Reflection The Christian journey is not about becoming a better version of our old selves. It is about walking in The New Living Way , putting on the new man created in the likeness of God. Scripture calls us to put on the new man , and this call is not symbolic or abstract. It is a command grounded in spiritual truth and lived out in daily walking as Christ walked. 📜 Scripture for Meditation 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” Ephesians 4:22–24 (ESV) “To put off your old man, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new man, created after the likeness of...
Read more