”We love because he first loved us.
1 John 4:19New International Version (NIV)
1 John 4:19 Devotional (Daily Bible Verse)
We Love Because …
1 John 4:19 states that “We love because God who is love, created love and loved us first“. That is, every form of loving others starts with His love for us. So that if we do not have God’s love in Christ, then it changes everything. But if we do have God’s love for us in Christ, then it also changes everything, particularly our relationships with those around us.
In Ephesians chapter 3 versus 17 to 19, apostle Paul revealed that the dimensions of God’s love with which He loved us are extravagant (John 3:16, 6:37). He further revealed that this love is to be experienced because it is the fullness of God.
Therefore, God’s love for you and me is what forms the basis and motivates us to love others. His love is the foundation and drive of our acts of service. This is because His love gives you and me security (Romans 8:28-39) – it casts out fear. And when you are secure, you are able to easily love others. Thus, obey God’s command to love others.
But how do you manifest God’s transforming love in your life? You could show concern to a friend in a crisis, or talk to a neighbor.
Alternatively, you could ask and then listen well to how someone’s been doing. Or you could apologize to a brother or sister, by asking for forgiveness for your mistakes.
Prayer
Lord God, I thank You for loving me even before you created me. Take my life as a vessel through which Your love is channeled into a world where real love barely exists.
I, therefore, pray that you grow me in the experience of your love. In addition, I also pray that your love may intensely inspire me to love others, even through service. And this I pray this in Jesus Christ’s Name, Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
Revelation 3-5 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
