Opening Prayer
God the Holy Spirit, kindle love in our hearts. Amen.
Text: First John 4:9–12
In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.
Devotion
All God’s work is love, and all creatures testify that God loves. Blessed are those who see it! But although God’s love streams forth in all His works, still John rightly says: “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” For all God’s thoughts of love toward us are gathered together in “the plan of His mercy,” that His only-begotten Son should become Man and redeem us with His blood. From the manger in Bethlehem, from the Baptism in the Jordan, but especially from Gethsemane and Golgotha, love shines forth through all God’s works. “What is it sparkled in the blood From Jesus’ riven side that flowed? The brightest beams of heavenly love, Which fall upon us from above. Now every hindrance which would stay Our faith in God is cleared away. Send doubt of whatsoever name Back to the devil, whence it came!”1 It is in Christ that God loves and blesses us. And great, high, deep, living is this love. Whoever believes it loves in return, and thus God abides in us.
You lament that you cannot love God and the brethren. Surely it is to be lamented, for where love is not found, all gifts are in vain and all works are nothing. But have you considered what John says here: “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” Immediately before this he said: “Love is of God.” Let the Spirit teach us this! Let Him teach us that we are loved by God, and that His love has come to us in the Son, that it is given to us in Him, in that He became Man and died for us, and we were baptized into His death and hear His Gospel and eat His Supper. Let the Spirit explain this to us, so that we believe God’s love, which truly is there among us and with us: then it comes to us and abides in us. Believe in love as God’s nature and as God’s gift, believe that God loves you in Christ, before you love Him, then you believe rightly. Believe as God Himself says, believe what is true, and you shall taste love and you shall love because you are loved. Do not give up before this love is your life! Make no mistake: it is from God and is His gift to those who believe.
Closing Prayer
God, let Your love humble us and abide in us. You are rich in mercy and in the desire to make us happy. Grant us love, let our hearts be filled by it, and let it be the living force and motivation in all that we do. Amen.
Hymn
My Jesus’ mercy’s in my heart
With golden letters written;
True faith, sure hope, pure love impart;
With joy my heart be smitten!
And when I sing Your praise,
My heart with joy I raise,
O let my spirit rise
To life’s sweet Paradise
With constant longing yearning.
Enlighten now, O Light of love,
My heart’s darkness defeating!
Come, dwell in this humble abode
And do not be retreating!
O God, I pray to You,
My heart with strength renew,
My Joy, my Rest, my Part,
O soothe my broken heart,
You are my life forever!
Sacer: Den Idræt Gud er tækkelig L 439:5-6 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Ein feste Burg (ELH 251); alternate hymn: Come, Holy Ghost, in love ELH 11