Fully Known, Yet Fully Loved
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. (1 John 4:9)
This familiar phrase enthralls me each time I read it, “the love of God was made manifest among us.” A love made manifest. A love not hidden, but clearly seen. A love not fabricated in the fallen mind, but profoundly revealed from Heaven. A love oftentimes suppressed or ignored, but unquestionably substantiated. A love made manifest. In an instant, a peculiar awareness enflamed in my heart: I am fully known, yet fully loved.
Really? I am fully known, yet fully loved? The more I am known, the more I am loved? The extent to which I am known, is the extent to which I can be loved? Prolonged pondering upon this verse will prove very beneficial.
Reflecting upon this with imaginative variation, in hopes to discern its depth, I find this love unfathomable and astonishingly consoling - the reality my soul needs most. This out-of-this-world love wages war against the lion’s share of what I have been conditioned to believe, experience, and expect. Without knowing it, I have become a master of hiding - a master of finding safety behind a facade. Nevertheless, this truth regarding God’s love resonates within until walls are broken, facades destroyed, and every crevice of my life filled with the crimson of eternal grace. The euangelion - The Good News, The Gospel - awakens me to know that there is not safety behind the facade - only despair, sorrow, hopelessness. But when I’m uncovered, stripped away and laid bare, I find mercy (Proverb 28:13). As I am fully known, He pours out endless mercy on me ... day-by-day, new, sufficient (Lamentations 3:22-23). A word given to God's people through His prophet heartens me,
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing.”
God fully knows, and fully loves. No matter what. "But what about _________?" Fill in the blank. The truth stands: You are fully known by God, and you are fully loved by Him. In Jesus, Divine adoration is encountered. In Jesus, He calls you, chooses you, and sets you apart - by grace you have been saved through faith (Ephesians 2:1-10). The coming of Jesus to save sinners and enemies from the wrath of God proves that we are fully loved, even after being fully known.
“In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent His only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.”
This love - the love found in Scripture, the love displayed by God in Jesus, the love that was made manifest among us - gives life. I am fully known. I am fully loved. I am fully alive. In sin, I once longed to sing creation’s song of divine glory, unable to find my unique note; but now, as there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1), I take my place singing Heaven’s song.
“[35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? [36] As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:35-39 )
Spread the Word.
Thank you for taking the time to reflect with me, and I pray that this post strengthens your heart in the Lord. Let’s encourage one another; share in the comments below how the Lord is revealing Himself to you lately, or let me know if you have any questions, because I would love to continue dialoging about all things pertaining to life and godliness.
Linus Nguyen is the founder of Of The Way Ministries and serves as lead pastor of Emmanuel Bible Fellowship (Houston, Texas). He has taught in, developed curriculum for, and written on the subjects of Biblical Studies, Theology, Discipleship, Spiritual Formation, Philosophy of Religion, Missions, Humanities, Rhetoric, and Communications at Secondary, Undergraduate, and Postgraduate levels. // Follow him on Podcast, YouTube, Pinterest, and Facebook.