Left Out?

I recently came across a notation stating that about 200 years ago a well-known encyclopedia discussed the word "ATOM" using only four lines while it took five pages to discuss "LOVE". This notation went on to reveal that in a recent edition of the same encyclopedia five pages provided information for "ATOM", but "LOVE" was omitted entirely. To me that was a bit shocking, so I decided to check a three volume desk encyclopedia (1982 edition) I have -- which is definitely not an exhaustive reference -- and found that in it three long paragraphs were devoted to "ATOM", but "LOVE" was not included at all.

Perhaps we might agree that in that 200 year period more would have become understood relative to the "ATOM", but what about "LOVE"? Perhaps to look at our world we would conclude that "LOVE" is not understood as it should be. Today I believe there are many relationship where "TRUE LOVE" has actually been left out. There may be infatuation. There may be physical attraction. There may be selfish motives for the relationship. But where is the LOVE? The question is even ask, "What has LOVE got to do with it?"! Well, actually, there is much in relation to life where LOVE HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH IT!

Thought the ATOM is small yet significant and powerful when harnessed, LOVE is huge and even more significant and also extremely powerful. Where would we be without LOVE? It was LOVE that caused God to send His Son ( John 3:16) so that we could have the hope of eternal life. It was LOVE which motivated Jesus to give Himself for the undeserving ( Romans 5:8), which actually includes all of us. And even if we do LOVE GOD, that is not enough. We must also LOVE OUR BROTHER. ( 1 John 4:20-21)

To not understand LOVE is to not understand God. Could we even say to live a life devoid of LOVE would be to live a life devoid of God? After all, LOVE is part of God's very essence.

John wrote. . .
"(7) Beloved, LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER, FOR LOVE IS FROM GOD, and WHOEVER LOVES HAS BEEN BORN OF GOD AND KNOWS GOD. (8) ANYONE WHO DOES NOT LOVE DOES NOT KNOW GOD, because God is love." ( 1 John 4:7-8)

And dropping down a few verses. . .
"(11) Beloved, IF GOD SO LOVED US, WE ALSO OUGHT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER." ( 1 John 4:11 ESV)

God does LOVE us! Being the recipients of His LOVE the expectation is that His LOVE does not stop with us, but works through us in how we interact with others. "LOVE" might have been left out of the encyclopedia, but may it never be left out of our life! May the manner in which we LOVE clearly and powerfully help those around us come to understand what TRUE LOVE is really all about.

Have a great day LOVING IN A MANNER REVEALING WE DO KNOW GOD!
Carl

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