He First Loved Us

DAILY READING

1 John 4:19-21

DEVOTION / REFLECTION

He Loved Us First

by Tom Richards

Today we read three short, but impactful verses from 1 John. This letter from the apostle John was written to believers and was likely a “circular letter” intended for churches in the province of Asia. John addresses a number of topics, and certainly seems to focus on how believers should interact with one another.

Below are some of my thoughts on these verses based on preparing for this post.

1. Verse 19 gives the “order” of love – “We love because he first loved us.” John discusses this earlier in his letter. In 1 John 4:10 he says “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” These simple words can be captured in the phrase “His love, our response” that some of you may be familiar with.

2.  Verse 20 “doubles down” on verse 19. Here John really drives home the point of demonstrating love as believers. “If anyone says ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar.” Can he be any clearer?

3.   Verse 21 demonstrates the significance of verses 19 and 20 as John goes back to the source of this content: “And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” The “he” in this verse is Jesus himself. If you look at John 13:34 you will see these words: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

While these words were written almost 2000 years ago, they certainly apply today. People, including believers, seem to be at odds over many topics. The ability to talk about a challenging issue without arguments and personal attacks ensuing is almost a lost art. There is a clear opportunity to demonstrate that as Christians we are different in this regard, especially when it comes to fellow believers. Many years ago a wise gentleman from Kentucky shared with me that “it is OK to disagree. It is not OK to be disagreeable.” I think he captured at least some of the essence of today’s reading. 

Father, help us to remember that all people are created by you and made in your image.  Help us to remember the words of Romans 5:8 –“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” And let our relationships with fellow believers be a witness to those who don’t yet know you. In Jesus name, Amen!

Breath Prayer – Take 2-3 minutes today to pray a simple breath prayer. Get somewhere quiet and relaxing. Breathe in deeply, and then breathe out fully. As you breathe in, ask God to fill you with His presence, grace, love, peace, etc. Consider using the list of spiritual fruit in Galatians 5:22-23. As you breathe out, offer to God the things you need Him to take from you – sin, doubt, shame, anxiety, fear, etc. Pray this way for just a few minutes, trusting God to work, and then begin reading today’s Scripture.