1 John 4:19 We love because he first loved us.
Such a short verse today, but a powerful one. We love God because He loved us first. Our love is a response to His love and grace. God is the source of true love. Any affection we have and exhibit towards others is a result of His grace and sacrifice, not our own efforts.
The Greek word used both times in this verse is again agape. Agape is the love of choice, a voluntary, purposeful, and sacrificial love, rather than a mere feeling. It is the love of God, perfect and unconditional.
Our ability or capacity to love comes from God, not from within us. He took the first step in loving us, though we were sinners and undeserving. Because He loved us first we are empowered to love Him back. Our love originates from the love He has bestowed upon us. His love has been poured out on us and continues to flood us with grace upon grace (John 1:16).
Because we are loved and receive His love continuously, we are enabled with the ability to give the same type of love, the same level of sacrificial, whole, unconditional love. We do this through the Spirit within us. Without the Spirit we would not be able to love the same way He loves us. We do not naturally have this level of love.
Today’s verse encourages us to focus on how much God loves us. We should not be focusing on trying to develop that love on our own because it is simply not possible. We love because He has filled us with His love. And that love far surpasses anything we will ever experience.
Prayer: Lord, Thank You for Your love and for loving me first. Please enable me to love others with Your sacrificial love. Amen
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