We know and rely on the love God has for us. 1 John 4:16
The professor ended his online class in one of two ways each time. He’d say, “See you next time” or “Have a good weekend.” Some students would respond with “Thank you. You too!” But one day a student responded, “I love you.” Surprised, he replied, “I love you too!” That evening the classmates agreed to create an “I love you chain” for the next class time in appreciation for their professor who had to teach to a screen on his computer, not in-person teaching as he preferred. A few days later when he finished teaching, the professor said, “See you next time,” and one by one the students replied, “I love you.” They continued this practice for months. The teacher said this created a strong bond with his students, and he now feels they’re “family.”
In 1 John 4:10–21, we, as part of God’s family, find several reasons to say “I love you” to Him: He sent His Son as a sacrifice for our sin (v. 10). He gave us His Spirit to live in us (vv. 13, 15). His love is always reliable (v. 16), and we never need to fear judgment (v. 17). He enables us to love Him and others “because he first loved us” (v. 19).
The next time you gather with God’s people, take time to share your reasons for loving Him. Making an “I love you” chain for God will bring Him praise and bring you closer together.
Read: 1 John 4:10-21 (NIV)
10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved usn
and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.o
11 Dear friends,p since God so loved us,q we also ought to love one another.r
12 No one has ever seen God;s but if we love one another,
God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.t
13 This is how we knowu that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.v
14 And we have seen and testifyw that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.x
15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God,y God lives in them and they in God.z
16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love.a Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.b
17 This is how love is made completec among us so that we will have confidenced
on the day of judgment:e In this world we are like Jesus.
18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,f because fear has to do with punishment.
The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
19 We love because he first loved us.g
20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sisterh is a liar.i
For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen,j cannot love God, whom they have not seen.k
21 And he has given us this command:l Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.m
INSIGHT
- Why do you love God?
- How can you show others His love?
Scholars believe 1 John was written by the apostle John, the author of the fourth gospel. Some ten years after writing his gospel, John wrote this letter to teach believers how to “live as Jesus did” (1 John 2:6)—putting love into action. Reminiscent of the language of John 3:16–17, John reminds us that God “sent his one and only Son into the world . . . as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:9–10). “Atoning sacrifice” describes what Jesus did on the cross in “removing guilt and purifying sinners (expiation), and appeasing God’s anger toward sinners (propitiation)” (NIV Zondervan Study Bible).
PRAYER
I’m grateful to know Your love and to be a part of Your family, Father. Show me ways to creatively express that love. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: 1 John 4:10-21 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Exodus 12-13; Matthew 16
