God’s Love in Us
1 John 4:7-8
Yesterday, we saw that God showed His love to us even when we rejected and despised Him. Jesus did not die only for those who loved Him; He died for everyone! Just as Christ loved the whole world, we should love everyone, no matter who they are!
In verse seven we see that love is of God. God showed us the ultimate sacrifice of love when He died on Calvary. He gave us the greatest example of how to love others—to give our lives for them. John 15:13 says, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
God tells us that the greatest love a person can show is to sacrifice themselves for another. While we may never be asked to give our lives for someone else, we can give of ourselves to help them. When we take time to show others that we love them, they will see God’s love in us.
God proved His love to us by dying on the Cross. While God does not require each of us to die for someone else, He does require that we love everyone. Mark 12:31 says, “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.” Jesus commands us to love our neighbors as we would love ourselves. What a sobering thought! Do you love those around you as you love yourself? Are you caring for them as you care for yourself? God wants us to love everyone!
Not only do we see that love is of God, but in verse eight we see that God is love! The very nature of God is one of love. God’s holiness demands justice for the sins of men, but His love reaches out to each person to redeem them. He loved us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us! God loves us more than any person could ever love us.
Because God’s nature is one of love and because He has commanded us to love others, we as God’s people should be characterized by love. When babies are born, they take on the physical nature of their parents. Sometimes a child can look exactly like their mother or father. Even so, when we are born again spiritually, we should take on the spiritual attributes of God. This includes the characteristic of love.
As God’s children we must look to Him as our example. Jesus Christ gave us the greatest example of love when He died on Calvary. Do you love others as He loves them? Are you loving them as you love yourself? God commands us to show His love to those around us. Ask Him to help you love others today as He would love them.
Daily Bible Reading
1 Chronicles 25-27 | John 9:1-23
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