Verse from 1 John

“我们爱，因为神先爱我们。”
‭‭约翰壹书‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭

“We love, because He first loved us.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:19‬ ‭

John pushes the recipients of his letter to an incredible depth of love, citing God’s love as both the source and the reason for loving one another (1 John 4:7, 11).

God went first. He sent His Son to demonstrate the fullness of His love for each of us. He doesn’t respond as we all are prone to do by withdrawing His heart from us.

Though our sinful actions don’t invite God’s love, He is unwavering in offering it to us (Rom. 5:8). His “go-first” love compels us to love one another in response to, and as a reflection of, that love.

Thank You, Lord,
for loving me in spite of my sin.
Help me to “go first” in loving others.

Have you found it’s easier to make up after an argument if the other person makes the first move? Maybe they don’t even apologize, but you see in their eyes and hear in their voice that they care about you. If Jesus went first and showed us His love, can we now make that first move and show love to someone else?
Mart DeHaan