¹See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. For this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.

One of the most loved passages of Scripture flows from the words of the disciple “whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23; 21:7, 20). In his gospel account, he never used his own name but self-identified in terms of Jesus’ love for him. Writing this letter fifty years later, he was still overwhelmed by Christ’s love.

Lest we think John had a unique relationship to God, he made it clear from the beginning of this letter: “[W]hat we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ” (1 John 1:3). There is no greater fellowship (Greek: koinonia) with God than to be His children. That is the fellowship John knew quite well and which he wants us to know. We are beloved by God!

We need to stop and let this sink in: “See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us . . .” We who are created beings, who have fallen short of God’s glory, who were alienated from Him because of our sin—we are the recipients of God’s love. Only those redeemed can understand and experience the stirrings of the heart to rehearse this great truth. Theologians must give way to poets to express the response of our hearts to God for this fellowship of love:

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

O love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

The unsaved world doesn’t understand what motivates us Christians. It is not laws or religious rituals. Plainly put—we are stimulated, induced, kindled, and overwhelmed with how much God loves us, undeserving as we are.

Lord, thank You for making me a disciple whom You love.