In my opinion, this is one of the most important verses in all of Scripture. It is here that we come to understand who and what God is. God is love. I'm occasionally asked about the fate of non-believers. And whenever asked about afterlife matters, my answer is consistently, "I don't know." I am not God, and anyone who claims to know is suffering an identity crisis. They must be confusing themselves with God, for only God knows what comes after we die. But here is what I believe: God is love. If you love, God is in you. Maybe you are an atheist and you claim that there is no God. My question to you would be to please define what you mean by "God". If you and I are having a conversation, and I mention "God", it is this one revealed to us in 1 John: God is love. So if you tell me you don't believe in God, and yet you love... then I would say you do believe in God, but you just don't know it. For if you love, then God is working through you to reveal himself to those you love. But if you don't love and don't even have the capacity to love, then I might believe you... but I'd love you anyway.
Readings: Daniel 11:36-12:13; 1 John 4:1-21; Psalm 123:1-4; Proverbs 29:2-4
