1Jn 4:12-14 “No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.”
At no time has any man, woman, or thing (see Strong’s definition of the Greek word translated “man”) seen God. In our flesh, we cannot look upon Him and live (Exo 33:20). How can we believe in this God that we cannot see? What gives us any assurance at all that He even exists? Because we cannot see Him with our eyes does not mean that we have no evidence of His existence. We know Him because He has put His Spirit in us!
God abiding in us makes us able to love one another. This scripture is not just speaking about a warm fuzzy feeling. This love makes us want to do good for our brothers and sisters; those we worship with as well as those we have never met. The love that causes us to know God is dwelling in us accomplishes something (is perfected) in a way that natural human affection never will. The love of God perfected in us takes us from “Lord, send somebody” to “Lord, send me!”
When God gives us of His Spirit, there is a sure knowledge that rises up in our hearts and will not be denied. We know that we dwell in Him. Knowing that we dwell in Him assures us that He dwells in us. When God shows Himself to us by giving us of His Spirit all doubt fades away. It does not matter that our carnal logic and reasoning tells us He can’t be real. We know who our souls feel.
For this cause, we can bear witness that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. I have never been to the literal location of Bethlehem, but I have seen the baby in the manger. I have never tended sheep, but I have felt the awe of the shepherds when the angel’s declared “unto you is born this day in the city of David a King!” I was not at Pilate’s court, but I have felt the shame that Peter felt when that rooster crowed. I have never been to the physical tomb where Jesus lay, but I have felt the amazement that came from realizing “He’s not here! He has risen as He said He would.” I have felt the peace of leaning on His breast and the joy of hearing His voice. I know He is the Savior of the world because I know that He is my Savior!
May we rest in confidence in that which we receive from Him as it testifies to us that He is real even when we cannot yet see Him!
