“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:7-8 NKJ
“For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. 9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; 11 for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.” 2 John 1:7-11 NKJV Paul said
God and Father,
Three little letters by John. Short but full of theology and wisdom. Possibly written by John, the disciple, possibly not. But all by the same person. Again written to counter people trying to introduce other false doctrines. We can see why the church eventually got together to write a sound Biblical creed as a foundation of faith. Even today we still need to adhere to Scripture and as Paul said, “ Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) And to have bad table manner as it were spit out the rest!
Then the writer makes sure that besides getting the faith and belief foundation correct – love is central. And the definition of love? That God first loved us and gave. He showed that love is sacrificial, he witnessed to what it looked like as a person in Jesus. He showed that nothing can overcome His love for us. I was very broken when I met Christ and he showed me His love before he led me to repentance. Sometimes I need to remember that when I bump into other hurt or stubborn people.
Help me be generous with others as You were generous with me and still are! Loving others is not easy Lord it takes all the fruits of Your spirit and perhaps I understand why the last in the list is self control so it lingers in my mind . . . (Galatians 5:222-23)
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Monday 29th December 2025
Wanted to learn more scripture by heart this year? There’s still time! I find I can learn it best as a chorus. Before the year ends add this to Your memory. Even if You need to hum it to remember . . .
Beloved, let us love one another,
For love is of God,
And everyone that loveth is born of God
And knoweth God.
He that loveth not knoweth not God,
For God is love.
Beloved, let us love one another.
1 John 4:7 and 8
He became sin, who knew no sin
That we might become His righteousness
He humbled himself and carried the cross
Love so amazing, love so amazing
Jesus Messiah, name above all names
Blessed redeemer, Emmanuel
The rescue for sinners, the ransom from Heaven
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all
His body the bread, his blood the wine
Broken and poured out all for love
The whole earth trembled, and the veil was torn
Love so amazing, love so amazing, yeah
Chorus
ll our hope is in You, all our hope is in You
All the glory to You, God, the light of the world
Chorus
Jesus Messiah, Lord of all
You’re the Lord of all
The Lord of all
Lyrics: Chris Tomlin / Daniel Carson / Ed Cash / Jesse Reeves