1 John 4
Bible Passage: 1 John 4
19 We love Him because He first loved us.
~ 1 John 4:9
Such a simple statement.
Yet such a profound statement that makes us stop and wonder…
How do we love Him?
Do we love Him?
In what what do we show we love Him?
This verse reminds us that God is always first in everything.
Not only is He the Creator, the Alpha and the very First…
He takes the initiative in everything.
The only reason why we can love God or anybody else is simply because God first loved us.
While we were sinners, evil and had nothing to do with God’s holiness, purity and haven of love, God sent His only Son, Jesus, into this world to die for us so that we can be reconciled with Him.
While we were still undeserving, He took the first step.
While we pushed Him away, He waited patiently.
He showed His love by giving you everything you have in life.
The Bible tells us that we were “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14)
We love because God first loved us.
That is the basis of our love.
God’s love.
So if we want to learn how to love other people, we must first acknowledge how much God loves us and understand what this love is all about.
Only when we understand this unconditional love can we love others, forgive them and show mercy to them.
Only when we have truly experienced this love can we be more patient, less judgmental, more merciful, less angry ….
Why are there bitter, angry, self righteous, sarcastic people in the world? Because they do not feel loved. It is because they have never experienced the kind of love Jesus shows on us each and every day.
The command is clear.
Since we have experienced this love of Jesus, now it is time for us to go out and show others His love in us.
Are we doing that today?