Transformed by God's LoveSample

Love demonstrates that you know God

“Whoever loves ... knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7-8 ESV)

When you build a close relationship with someone and spend a lot of time together, you get to know that person better and better. Over time, you become familiar with their character and habits. You even start to adopt certain ways of doing things. There is a reason for the saying, “Tell me your company and I’ll tell you your manners.”

In a very special way, this also applies to our relationship with God. Knowing Him—not just in theory, but from personal experience—influences us. He is the great Source of love, and His love cannot leave our hearts cold. Someone who receives infinite love will also love in return.

The reverse is also true: if someone is heartless and hateful, that person does not know God. Perhaps he knows intellectually that a god exists, but that is not real knowledge of the Lord God.

Our “knowing” of God is never complete. We humans are too small and too limited for that. Our love is not perfect either. There are always remnants of sin and hatred that exert their toxic influence. But something that still needs to grow, that is not yet complete, can still be real and pure.

Do you know God personally? How has He changed you?