Reflecting on John 8:31-47“If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God.” (John 8:42)
In this section Jesus is challenging the religious leaders for their actions.
They are not doing what God wants, nor are they doing what Abraham did.
They are doing what Satan would do: looking for a way to kill Jesus.
If they really knew God, as Abraham and Moses did, they would not be trying to kill.
They would know God’s loving nature, and would want to reflect it.
I believe that love is God’s core nature, and how we were made to live.
Not feeling love but active love – compassion, kindness, patience, mercy, fairness.
All of God’s actions proceed from and are a reflection of this gracious love.
Someone that knows God like this should not be committed to hate or hurt.
Their motivation ought to be to be like their Father… ought to be.
If God were my Father, I would treat others like God treats me.
If God’s Spirit were in me, I would desire the fruit of the Spirit.
If that motivation and desire is missing, then something is wrong in me.
Jesus can see through my actions what my desire is, and what motivates me.
Does He see a reflection of the Father’s love in me… or another spirit?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, it is not the perfection of love but the desire to love that You are looking for in me. Help me to know God's love better, that I may show it better to those who come to me.