The Image of Love (Gen 1:27 x 1 John 4:8)

"So God created man in his own image; in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" - Gen 1:27

"Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love" - 1 John 4:8

These two truths are certainly profound when considered in isolation, but when combined they reveal a truth deeper than perhaps any other:

Man was created in the image of Love.

God is love, and He created us to bear His image.

Jesus, being the God-Man, reveals to us what it looks like for Love to become human.

It is only by following Him that we can fulfill our destiny, and become who we were truly created to be.

...

O God, you are not only all loving, but you are Love itself.

You give Love a face, a voice, and a name.

You made us to be like you. The only purpose of our life is to fulfill this calling.

This is a calling we never could hope to achieve on our own. Thankfully you never called us even to try to do it alone.

You give us the key in your words, "Abide in me."

So we ask you, remind us at all times to abide in you.

And as we abide, we will trust that the fruit must come.

By this is love perfected with us,

so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment,

because as he is so also are we in this world

1 John 4:17