As John described how Christians treat one another, he likely thought about himself and the other disciples. They jockeyed for position, and got angry with one another at times (cf. Mark 10:35-45). Over time, Jesus re-shaped their thoughts and actions. John knew that loving others with Christ’s love isn’t reserved for people with naturally warm dispositions. This kind of active love comes from God, who “has given us a measure of his Spirit” (verse 13).

•  “No one has ever seen God” (verse 12) feels at first like a misplaced thought. But John went on to say, “If we love each other, God remains in us.” In other words, we see God in one another (like the line in Gordon Jensen’s song that says, “You’re the only Jesus some will ever see”). As you become more able to take in the truth of how much God loves you, how is this changing the way you see and relate to others?
• John’s language is so familiar that it may be hard for us to focus on what he was really conveying. What difference do you see between “God loves” and “God IS love” (which is what John said twice in these verses)? In her book Many Waters, Madeleine l’Engle wrote of a “vast, patiently waiting love” at the heart of the universe. How does it shift your view of life and its meaning to trust that, rather than just a cold, empty universe?