2 passages

Sorry, but I had to include both of these passages from 2 places I read this morning.

I know that if you read this blog with any regularity, you've probably noticed I don't comment as much as I used to. As I read the Bible more & more, I wonder if it needs much of my finite opinions. I've wondered if I just need to let the infinite Word of God speak for itself. It has far more power to speak to the hearts of people than whatever I might think or say.


When I read this first passage this morning, I thought how we are so far off the mark of being a loving people...



1 John 4

7 Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, 

for love comes from God. 

Anyone who loves is a child of God 

and knows God.

8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, 

for God is love.



  9 God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world 

so that we might have eternal life through him.

10 This is real love—not that we loved God, 

but that he loved us 

and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.



  11 Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.

12 No one has ever seen God. 

But if we love each other, 

God lives in us, 

and his love is brought to full expression in us.



  13 And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us.

14 Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testify that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

15 All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, 

and they live in God.

16 We know how much God loves us, 

and we have put our trust in his love.



  God is love, 

and all who live in love live in God, 

and God lives in them.

17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. 

So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, 

but we can face him with confidence 

because we live like Jesus here in this world.



  18 Such love has no fear, 

because perfect love expels all fear. 

If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, 

and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

19 We love each other because he loved us first.


  20 If someone says, "I love God," but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; 

for if we don't love people we can see, 

how can we love God, whom we cannot see?

21 And he has given us this command: 

Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.



* * * * * * * * 


And who needs to read this psalm today, besides me?


Psalm 25

1 O LORD, I give my life to you.
2   I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced,
  or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
3 No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
  but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.


4 Show me the right path, O LORD;
  point out the road for me to follow.
5 Lead me by your truth and teach me,
  for you are the God who saves me.
  All day long I put my hope in you.
6 Remember, O LORD, your compassion and unfailing love,
  which you have shown from long ages past.
7 Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.
  Remember me in the light of your unfailing love,
  for you are merciful, O LORD.


8 The LORD is good and does what is right;
  he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
9 He leads the humble in doing right,
  teaching them his way.
10 The LORD leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
  all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.


11 For the honor of your name, O LORD,
  forgive my many, many sins.
12 Who are those who fear the LORD?
  He will show them the path they should choose.
13 They will live in prosperity,
  and their children will inherit the land.
14 The LORD is a friend to those who fear him.
  He teaches them his covenant.
15 My eyes are always on the LORD,
  for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.


16 Turn to me and have mercy,
  for I am alone and in deep distress.
17 My problems go from bad to worse.
  Oh, save me from them all!
18 Feel my pain and see my trouble.
  Forgive all my sins.
19 See how many enemies I have
  and how viciously they hate me!
20 Protect me! Rescue my life from them!
  Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge.
21 May integrity and honesty protect me,
  for I put my hope in you.


22 O God, ransom Israel
  from all its troubles.