I John 4   John continues to emphasize the bottom line... LOVE.   We need to get this right, he tells us, because otherwise we are lost, without God altogether.

John tells us some things we need to do, to make sure we are on the right path..

1. Test the spirits.. know the difference between  the Spirit of God and a false spirit.
".. every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God." ( v2) 

2. Know that .. "He who is in you" is greater than "he who is in the world".  v4

3. Know that "love is from God".

4. Know that "everyone who loves is born of God and knows God". 

5. Know that "love.. was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him". 

It is hard to skip any single verse in John's writing.. for there are deep truths that fill these pages..
Love from God, love for God, love for others.. in Jesus, through Jesus, and by the example and sacrifice of Jesus.. love flows into us..  It casts out fear.  It overcomes the world.  It gives us life.
It manifests.. or reveals to us... God Himself.

Verse 16 in particular speaks to me... " we have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love and the one who abides in love abides in God and God abides in him." 

Father in heaven, perfect this love in us.. Amen.