There is comfort and conviction in the idea that we are perfectly loved by God. We can learn about God’s perfect love in Scripture and then use Rachael Lampa’s song “Perfectly Loved” to remind us of what we’ve studied.
Let’s contemplate this area of Scripture together using a meditative practice.
In this episode, I discuss the following:
- Taking a B.I.T.E. out of Scripture – this week’s Bible Interaction Tool Exercises include:
- Pray
- Repetition
- Read the text aloud
- Listen to contemplative music as you meditate
- Slow down
- One word
- Meditate on God’s Word
- Consider the opposite
- Follow the cross-references
- Pray Scripture
- Following the Lectio Devina workflow in Logos Bible Software
- Stretching yourself by trying something new but giving yourself grace in the process
- Start by asking God to guide your time in His Word
- The next step is the “lectio” part of Lectio Devina (which means Divine Reading) – lectio means “reading” in Latin – 1 John 4:15-19
- Write down words or phrases that jump out at you – I wrote:
- ??because as he is, so also are we in this world??
- fear has to do with punishment
- love gives us confidence
- love perfected WITH us…interesting word choice…WITH
- we love because he first loved us – my blog post I promised to link to
- Take the next step of meditating on the passage and the words and phrases that jumped out at you – my thoughts included:
- It’s all about abiding – 1 John 4:15-16
- My love is perfected for what purpose? – 1 John 4:17
- Chasing cross-references – 1 John 3:1, 2 Peter 2
- God’s perfect love provides relationship and rescue
- What does “perfect” really mean? – John Piper Sermon
- I am perfectly loved to love perfectly
- The next step of responding in prayer
- The final step of contemplation in God’s presence (AKA be quiet and listen)
If you don’t hold the conviction that you are perfectly loved, let’s start there. But if you walk in that freedom, it is so that your love will be perfected to love others.
Enjoy the official lyric video of the song below.
More Than a Song Playlist
Additional Resources
- Lyrics – NewReleaseToday.com
- My new favorite Bible Study Software – Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link
This Week’s Challenge
Take these five steps of Lectio Divina and contemplate 1 John 4:15-19. Prepare in quietness, praying and asking God to help you connect to Him. Read the passage carefully, slowly, repetitively, and even aloud. Meditate on the passage, and don’t be afraid to log your thoughts. Respond in prayer and then sit in God’s presence, listening for His response.
