See 1st John 4:12-16
John begins here, by telling us that "no one has seen God at any time" This is generally true with some exceptions that are given to us in the Bible.
But, he goes on to say, that "if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. "
So, while we may not have ( and we have not ) seen Him, if we love one another, the God whom we have not seen is abiding in us, and His love has been perfected, or realized in a practical way, runs it's full course, in practice in our lives.
This is how we know that we are in Him, and abiding in Him, and He is abiding in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. The Holy Spirit started to live inside of you the very instant you were born again and saved. He became resident within you. And, He bears witness to your spirit that you are God's child, and He also bears in your life the fruit of the Holy Spirit. So, He has much to do with your knowing that you know God.
Here's something else said by John. Here we are told as to what John had seen and was testifying to .....this was their word about what God had done........God had sent the Son as Savior of the world. This is what God has given to the world a Savior. And, it says, of "the world", that is for any and all who want to be saved, anywhere in the world can be. The word Savior, means, deliverer, preserver.
Going on, John says that "whoever confesses etc, etc.......God abides in Him, and he in God. So, whoever will confess, which means to agree with God about His Son, then God will be abiding with you, and you will be abiding in God.
Lastly, in 4:16, John says, "And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. So, they both knew and believed the love that God has, that is, in sending Jesus, the expression of God's love.....And, then John adds, "God is love, and he who abides in love, abides in God and God in him."
What a blessing to know that we are in Him, and He is in us. There is no better place to be then in the Lord.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
Going on, John says that "whoever confesses etc, etc.......God abides in Him, and he in God. So, whoever will confess, which means to agree with God about His Son, then God will be abiding with you, and you will be abiding in God.
Lastly, in 4:16, John says, "And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. So, they both knew and believed the love that God has, that is, in sending Jesus, the expression of God's love.....And, then John adds, "God is love, and he who abides in love, abides in God and God in him."
What a blessing to know that we are in Him, and He is in us. There is no better place to be then in the Lord.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
