We Love Because He First Loved Us

-August 23, 2022-

Good morning, happy Tuesday,

“We love Him because He first loved us.”

John wrote the gospel of John, the three epistles of John, and the Book of Revelation. He is called, “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Throughout his writings he speaks of God’s love for us, our love for Him, and our love for one another. He wrote, “…God is love.” Today’s text shows us that the only reason we can love is because of His love for us.

All true love, especially the agape love, is from God. He is the initiator, the source, the author of this love. John says, “We love Him because He first loved us.” We couldn’t love without His love. John also wrote in 1 John 4:10-11, “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. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

The “Love chapter” in the Bible is 1 Corinthians 13. Even so, 1 John 4 is permeated with love. In the best Greek manuscripts do not have the word “Him.” It is very correct to translate this verse as, “We love because He first loved us.” In the context of this chapter John is speaking of our love for one another.

1 John 4:7-8 says, “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 love is of God.” Love is one of the fruit of the Spirit, and is in fact the first one mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. God’s love is caring, self sacrificing, generous, abundant, and eternal. It isn’t dependent on reciprocity. Love is one of the proofs that we have been born again. If we can’t love man whom we have seen, how can we love God whom we have not seen?

All true love must be put in action. It is not just an emotion or sentiment. Paul wrote in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” John also said, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16).

May the Lord help us to love Him and to love one another. In fact, we should love all people. Love is what draws people to Christ. Stay safe and healthy.

In His eternal love,

Dean