Devotional- Summer of Love: Life Has a Name
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”
—1 John 1:5 (NIV)
Love is a word we all say and celebrate. We decorate with it, post about it, and build holidays around it. But here’s the thing: We rarely stop to ask what love actually means. Most people say we just need more love in the world, but few agree on what that looks like. One person’s definition of love might be tolerance, while another’s might be truth-telling. And without an anchor, love becomes slippery—just a word we use to describe whatever makes us feel good in the moment.
But John, the same John who walked with Jesus, wants us to know that love is not just a feeling. Love is a person. God is love. And the clearest expression of that love is Jesus. If we want to know what love looks like, we look at Him.
In his letter, John is writing to a church that’s wrestling with confusion, not just about love, but about the very identity of Jesus. Some were starting to say that Jesus wasn’t actually God in the flesh. Others claimed you didn’t need Jesus at all—you just needed to believe in “God” in some vague spiritual way and be a good person.
That mindset hasn’t gone away. It’s everywhere in our world today. People love the idea of “God,” but when you bring up Jesus, things get uncomfortable. Jesus is too specific. Too confrontational. Too real.
But John won’t let us stay vague. He says Jesus is the life that came down from heaven. He’s not just a messenger. He is the message. The life we’re looking for, the light that pushes back our darkness, the love we so desperately need—it all has a name. And that name is Jesus.
So what does it mean to walk in the light? It doesn’t mean pretending to be perfect. It doesn’t mean polishing yourself up so God will accept you. Walking in the light means following Jesus. It means trusting Him to be what we could never be on our own. Because on our own, we’re not light—we’re a mess. We’re selfish. We’re broken. And we can’t purify ourselves from the sin that clings so tightly.
But the good news is this: we don’t have to. Jesus came for people who know they need help. He didn’t wait for us to clean ourselves up. He stepped into the mess and offered Himself in our place.
That’s why John calls Jesus "the life." Life is not found in performance. It’s not found in spiritual knowledge, religious rituals, or moral effort. Life is found in Jesus—and only Jesus. He is the way out of the darkness and into the light.
When we confess our sin, we’re not surprising God. We’re agreeing with Him. We’re saying, “I can’t do this without You.” And when we do that, He is faithful. He forgives. He purifies. He brings us into the light, not as strangers, but as sons and daughters.
If you’re tired of trying to be good enough, Jesus is offering you something better: Himself.
Questions for Reflection
When you think about “love,” where do your definitions come from: culture, experience, or Scripture?
Have you ever tried to earn God’s acceptance by being “good enough”? What did that feel like?
What does it mean to you personally that Jesus is the life, not just a way to God, but the way?
Are there areas in your life where you are still walking in darkness—things you’re hiding, carrying, or trying to manage on your own?
What would it look like this week to follow Jesus more honestly and more fully?
Prayer
Father,
Thank You for not leaving love undefined. Thank You for showing us love in the person of Jesus. I confess that I often chase after other definitions of love, ones that are easier, softer, or more convenient. But I know they don’t lead to life. I need You. I cannot purify myself. I cannot earn my way into the light. I admit that I need the forgiveness and freedom only Jesus can give.
Help me stop pretending I have it all together. Help me to trust that what Jesus did for me is enough. Thank You for loving me not because I’m perfect, but because You are. I want to walk in the light, not out of pressure, but because I believe that life with Jesus is better.
Amen.
Additional Resources for Study
Scripture to Read:
John 1:1–14 – Jesus as the Word made flesh
John 8:12 – Jesus as the light of the world
1 John 1:1–10 – Walking in the light
Romans 5:8 – God’s love while we were still sinners
Psalm 34:18 – The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
Media:
BibleProject: Love in the Bible
You don’t have to define love on your own. You don’t have to carry your sin, your striving, or your questions in silence. Jesus is not just a good example. He is the life you’ve been searching for. If you’re ready to stop chasing vague spirituality and start walking in the light, all it takes is a yes. Not a perfect performance, but an honest surrender. Life has a name, and that name is Jesus. Come to Him, and find the love and light your soul was made for.
