1 John 4:19 · KJV
"We love him, because he first loved us."
King James Version
What does 1 John 4:19 mean? →Passage Context
Devotional Reflection
Everything is simple as pie. God cherishes us. He is the source, the architect, and the creator of love. Because He first loved me, I love Him. I know how to love because He has taught me how. He made me to look and act like Him, which allows me to love. He is where love begins, what sustains it, and where it comes to an end. Because He loves, I love first, last, and always.
Prayer
God of comfort, I'm grateful for Your love's ability to comfort me. I want to learn how to love as You do: sacrificially, selflessly, and submissively, so that others may know they do not have to earn Your love, only receive it. This is similar to how a child learns so many skills from their parents. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.
As people, we like to think of ourselves as the most important thing in the world. Most of the time, we judge how big or important something is by how it affects us. We like to think of ourselves as great explorers, inventors, and detectives. But in the most important search of all, God took the first step. He gave up everything for us. He cared about us as people. He first loved us. Because of His grace, we love Him. Our love is just giving to others what has been given to us freely. We love each other because He first loved us.
Prayer
Almighty God and Abba Father, I have spent the last few days trying to understand how much You love me and everyone else. I don't claim to understand Your love, but I do know that You have shown it to me in ways I could never have imagined. So, please, dear Father, remind me of how much You love me when I'm tempted to doubt Your love or wonder if I'm good enough. I want Your love to show up in everything I do. Thank You for loving me so much. Thank You for giving up everything for love. Thank You most of all for loving first! In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.
Because God first loved us, we love other people. In Jesus, God the Father showed us how to love. Our Abba Father has given us safety and confidence so we can love more fully. Our Holy and Powerful God loved us with courage and sacrifice so we could learn what love is and how it should be shown. God is the one who gives us love. God is the best example of love, not you or me. We tend to be careful and only show our love to the people we want to. God's love, on the other hand, is big and open to everyone. We love each other because He loved us first.
Prayer
Righteous Father, please forgive me for the times I've been careful and cautious in my love for Your children. Please help me love other people the way You've loved me. I ask especially for today that I might be able to bring love into the life of someone who really needs it, whether they accept that love or not. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.
It's all really straightforward. God is love. He is love's genesis, exemplar, and architect. I adore because He loved me initially. I know how to love because He has proven it. I can love because He formed me in His likeness and to share His character. He is the spring, the impetus, and the peak of love. I love because He does, first, last, and always.
Prayer
Thank you for making me feel better with Your love, God of comfort. I want to learn how to love like You do: sacrificially, selflessly, and submissively, so that others can see that they don't have to do anything to earn Your love; they can just accept it. In Jesus' precious name, I pray. Amen.
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