We Love Because He Loved Us First
God's Love Is Contagious!
1 JOHN 4:19
“We love Him because He first loved us.”
I John 4:19 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1jn.4.19.NKJV
Here, God’s Word tells us that human capacity to love God and others is not self-generated, but is a direct response to God initiating love toward humanity first.
God did not wait for humans to find Him or earn His favour; He loved the world first through the sacrificial gift of Jesus Christ.
Human love is an effect, not a cause. Believers are able to love because God's prior grace changes and fills the heart.
This verse is a statement of spiritual reality rather than a strict command; our love flows outward naturally as we understand how deeply we are already loved.
In the surrounding context (1 John 4:20-21), John explains that loving God and loving your neighbour are inseparable. If God loved us unconditionally, we are free to love others, even difficult people from a place of spiritual overflow rather than exhaustion or obligation.
Love is more than a feeling, in deed it is a duty of care toward others. But you do not have to force yourself to manufacture patience or kindness. Instead, you look back to God's finished act of love as your fuel and model.
God’s love is an individual gift to all humanity, but when one receives a gift, he or she must except it, unwrap it, and apply to his or her life.
But the truth is, even when one receives God’s love, we believers are not going to radiate that love on others until we choose to love ourselves.
Of course we all fall short of the glory of God, but God despite our faults and failures, and nothing is hidden from Him, He chose to forgive you. Therefore, you can choose to forgive yourself.
Jesus accepts you just as are, therefore, you can accept yourself as you are and be free from all shame and guilt as you trust Him to transform you into the image of our Lord and Saviour. Furthermore, you can choose to love yourself because God chose to love you; He loved you first regardless.
It is only when you learn to love yourself, that you can truly love others. It is then that His love will shine from you and bring others to Christ. Just as His love is transforming you, it will transform them into the image of our Lord and Saviour.
Love is contagious; it is a weapon of mass destruction against the enemy.
God’s love does not condemn, but rather convicts change by selfless, unconditional acts of kindness.
All glory be to God forever and ever! Amen.
Please share with our brothers and sisters all around the world.
