“We love Him because He first loved us.”
1 John 4:19
We love Him because He first loved us.
The word ‘love’ has different definitions, depending on context and season of life. While some may cite examples of epic love stories written in the past, others think of love as doing what is right for people or faithfully fulfilling obligations.
While human love may be misinterpreted, manipulated, or misunderstood, our Lord Jesus teaches us what true love is through His actions. He sets the standard for love as selfless and sacrificial, not as a means of personal gain.
Jesus Christ also extends His love to all humanity by blessing, favouring, and protecting us on our journey to eternity. He leads by example and loves us first. By understanding what He did during His life on earth, we learn to love God and the people He has placed in our lives.
In our daily lives, we often return favours and offer help only when we have received them. In 1 John 4:19, the apostle John tells us that we love God because He loved us first. Christ doesn’t just command His followers to love; He leads by example and teaches us how to love others.
Having experienced God’s love and kindness, it’s important that we extend the same love to the downtrodden, the unseen, and the unloved in this world. Let’s introduce them to Christ by showing them a glimpse of His love through us.
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for loving us through Your Son, Christ Jesus. Help us to understand and love You better as we focus on Your sacrificial love on the cross. Help us to love one another as You have loved us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
