1 John 4:7-10 - "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
Reflection
Love is the defining characteristic of God. John’s words don’t merely suggest that love is one of God’s attributes; they declare that God is love. His entire nature is love—pure, unwavering, and sacrificial. This means that love is not just something God does, but something He is.
Consider how profound this truth is. Love existed before creation, before humanity was formed, before sin entered the world. It was love that moved God to create us, and love that compelled Him to redeem us through His Son. From Genesis to Revelation, His love is the golden thread that weaves through history. John tells us that everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. To know God is to live in His love—allowing it to shape us, refine us, and flow through us. But what does this mean practically? It means that love is our identity as believers. It is not merely an obligation or a command; it is the evidence that we truly belong to Him.
Yet, the love that John describes is vastly different from the world’s definition of love. The world often portrays love as conditional—given when it is convenient, withheld when someone fails to meet expectations. It is often based on emotions, changing with circumstances. But God’s love is unconditional, rooted in commitment, and expressed in action. John reminds us that God’s love was manifested toward us through Christ. God didn’t just speak of love—He demonstrated it. The greatest proof of His love is seen in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. This was not a response to our goodness or faithfulness. In fact, we did nothing to deserve His love. Yet, He sent His Son so that we might live through Him.
If we ever doubt God’s love, we need only to look at Calvary. The cross is the ultimate declaration that we are loved. Christ bore our sins, endured suffering, and paid the price we could not pay—all because the Father’s love made a way for our redemption. Now, as recipients of this love, we are called to reflect it. To love is to know God. To withhold love is to demonstrate that we do not truly know Him. This is a sobering reminder that love is not optional—it is essential. Love is the mark of a life transformed by Christ.
Personal Application
Loving others can be challenging, especially when we face conflict, hurt, or rejection. We may struggle to love those who misunderstand us, who have wronged us, or who seem unworthy of kindness. And yet, God loved us when we were unworthy. He didn’t wait for us to change or prove ourselves—His love was freely given.
Think about someone in your life who is difficult to love. Maybe it’s a co-worker, a family member, or a friend who has caused pain. In our human nature, we might feel justified in withholding love, but God calls us to love anyway.
Loving others is not about feelings; it’s about obedience to God’s nature within us. Love is a choice—a decision to reflect Christ in the way we treat others. Consider these ways you can love more intentionally:
- Through kindness: A gentle word, a patient response, or a small act of encouragement can demonstrate the love of Christ.
- Through forgiveness: Holding onto bitterness blocks love. When we forgive, we release the weight that keeps us from loving freely.
- Through sacrifice: Love often requires setting aside personal comfort or convenience to serve another.
- Through prayer: Sometimes, the most loving thing we can do is to lift someone up in prayer, even if they don’t know it.
If you struggle to love others, ask God to fill you with His love so that it naturally overflows. The more we dwell in His presence, the more His love transforms us. And the more His love transforms us, the more we love like Him.
Prayer
Father, I thank You for the depth of Your love—a love that is unconditional, unfailing, and sacrificial. You loved me before I ever knew You, and You sent Your Son so that I could experience life in You. Lord, I ask for a heart that reflects Your love. Teach me to love not just when it’s easy, but when it’s difficult. Help me to extend kindness, patience, and forgiveness to those around me. When I struggle to love, remind me of Your grace toward me. Fill me with Your Spirit so that Your love shines through my actions. Let my life be a testimony of Your goodness, drawing others to the beauty of Your love. May I love boldly, freely, and unconditionally—just as You have loved me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Written by Sarah Fry-Leasure
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