abides in him. By this, ….

abides in him. By this, love is fully realized among us, so that we may have confidence on judgment day; because just as he is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has torment. So one who fears has not been perfected in love.” Then this illuminating statement: “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:16-19).

Pastor Phil Ryken explains that the savior shows his love for both the father and us on the cross, and faith in the Father’s love makes possible all trust.

Suffering at death’s door, Jesus prays, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” His relationship with the father kept his trust alive in the darkness. He believed the father’s promises in the Bible that he listens to us, that he is our father, that in the life to come he will raise our bodies, that he loves us, and that he will accept the son’s perfect atoning sacrifice and count it in satisfaction for our sins.

Is this love and faith in your life, always believing, always loving?

You can know God really loves you because Jesus prayed we would know the father’s love.

“You love them,” Jesus said, “as you love me. I have made your name known to them and will make it known, so that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them,” (John 17:23,26). With these words, Jesus motivates us and strengthens our faith.

The more we know of God’s love found in God’s Word, the more our faith grows, and we can commit our lives every day, yes, and at last our death into his hands.