Living and Remaining in Lov
12/13/2025
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”
— 1 John 4:16 (NIV)
There is a difference between knowing about God’s love and relying on it. John doesn’t say we merely understand God’s love; he says we know it and we depend on it. That kind of love is not theoretical, it’s lived, trusted, and leaned on when life feels unsteady.
Think about a child learning to swim. At first, they may know their parent is nearby. They hear the encouragement. They see the open arms. But the real moment comes when they jump, when they rely on the parent to catch them. God’s love works the same way. Many of us know God loves us, but we still try to keep ourselves afloat through performance, control, or self-protection. John reminds us that real faith is not just acknowledging love, but remaining in it.
When Scripture says, “God is love,” it is telling us something profound about God’s nature. Love is not merely something God does; it is who He is. That means when we live in love, when we forgive, extend grace, choose patience, and act with compassion, we are not just behaving well, we are abiding in God Himself. Love becomes the evidence of God’s presence in our lives.
This also reframes how we see ourselves. If God lives in us, and God is love, then love is meant to be the defining mark of our lives. Not fear. Not anger. Not striving. Love. When we remain in love, we remain in God, and His presence steadies us, shapes us, and sends us out to love others the same way we have been loved.
Action steps:
• Begin today by thanking God out loud for His love, even before you feel it.
• Ask yourself where you are relying on control instead of trusting God’s love.
• Choose one intentional act of love today, encouragement, forgiveness, or generosity.
• When anxiety rises, pause and remind yourself: “God lives in me.”
Today’s challenge:
Live from a place of reliance, not resistance. Let God’s love be the place you remain all day long.
Prayer:
God, thank You that You are love, not distant, not conditional, but present and faithful. Teach me to rely on Your love instead of my own strength. Help me to live in love so that others may see You living in me. Let Your love shape my words, my actions, and my heart today. Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.”
— 1 John 4:16 (NIV)
There is a difference between knowing about God’s love and relying on it. John doesn’t say we merely understand God’s love; he says we know it and we depend on it. That kind of love is not theoretical, it’s lived, trusted, and leaned on when life feels unsteady.
Think about a child learning to swim. At first, they may know their parent is nearby. They hear the encouragement. They see the open arms. But the real moment comes when they jump, when they rely on the parent to catch them. God’s love works the same way. Many of us know God loves us, but we still try to keep ourselves afloat through performance, control, or self-protection. John reminds us that real faith is not just acknowledging love, but remaining in it.
When Scripture says, “God is love,” it is telling us something profound about God’s nature. Love is not merely something God does; it is who He is. That means when we live in love, when we forgive, extend grace, choose patience, and act with compassion, we are not just behaving well, we are abiding in God Himself. Love becomes the evidence of God’s presence in our lives.
This also reframes how we see ourselves. If God lives in us, and God is love, then love is meant to be the defining mark of our lives. Not fear. Not anger. Not striving. Love. When we remain in love, we remain in God, and His presence steadies us, shapes us, and sends us out to love others the same way we have been loved.
Action steps:
• Begin today by thanking God out loud for His love, even before you feel it.
• Ask yourself where you are relying on control instead of trusting God’s love.
• Choose one intentional act of love today, encouragement, forgiveness, or generosity.
• When anxiety rises, pause and remind yourself: “God lives in me.”
Today’s challenge:
Live from a place of reliance, not resistance. Let God’s love be the place you remain all day long.
Prayer:
God, thank You that You are love, not distant, not conditional, but present and faithful. Teach me to rely on Your love instead of my own strength. Help me to live in love so that others may see You living in me. Let Your love shape my words, my actions, and my heart today. Amen.
Pastor Jeff
#LoveGod #LovePeople #FindFreedom #FindYourDesign
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