Read 1 John 4:1–8
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:8

Love is a part of the very being and nature of God. If we are united to God through faith in Christ, we share His nature. And since His nature is love, love is the test of the reality of our spiritual lives.

A navigator depends on a compass to help him determine his course. But
why a compass? Because it shows him the directions. And why does the
compass point north? Because it is so constituted that it responds to the
magnetic field that is part of the earth’s makeup. The compass is responsive to the nature of the earth.

So it is with Christian love. The nature of God is love. And a person who
knows God and has been born of God will respond to God’s nature. As a
compass naturally points north, a believer will naturally practice love,
because love is the nature of God. This love will not be a forced response; it will be a natural response. A believer’s love for the brethren will be proof of his sonship and fellowship.

Something to Ponder
If God’s complete love were indicated by due north on a compass, what
direction would your own personal compass read? (How far off would you
be from pointing north?)