SOAP stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. Today’s journal comes from reading 1 John 4.

Scripture

“No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us.” –1 John 4:12

Observation

NLT: “His love is brought to full expression in us.”
Simply put: People can’t see God, but they can see us. And if we love others, they will see God in us!

Application

Above all, might people see in me the love of God. There are so many important godly attributes that we should display: truthfulness, holiness, faith, goodness, justice, etc. But the greatest is the love of God abiding in me.

Prayer

Father, I remember how this verse/concept struck me 40 years ago, and I prayed that no one who knew me could remain an atheist because they would see the amazing and life-transforming love of God in me! Today, I renew that simple prayer. Show Your love in me! Abide in me! Let the world see Your love in me.

There’s so much evil in the world, and I sense Your judgment is coming. But in announcing that and warning people, might they see that I do this because I love them. Father, fill me with genuine love, I pray, for Your glory.

Amen