Jesus Showed Us Love

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Scripture: 1 John 4:10-11 (NIV)

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Devotion:

1 John 4:10-11 captures the heart of the Christian message—God’s profound love for humanity. These verses emphasize that the foundation of love does not rest on our actions but on God's initiative. His love is the starting point and the ultimate example of how we should live.

The phrase “not that we loved God, but that he loved us” shifts the focus from human efforts to divine action. It’s a humbling reminder that God's love for us is unconditional, not based on our worthiness but on His gracious nature. This selfless love is proactive and sacrificial. God did not wait for us to love Him first; He took the first step by sending His Son, a gesture that fills us with gratitude and humility.

The love of God is demonstrated through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This term signifies God’s commitment to restoring the broken relationship between humanity and Himself. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate expression of God’s love, paying the penalty for our sins and bridging the gap that separated us from Him. Through this act, we truly understand the cost and magnitude of divine love, a love that makes us feel deeply loved and valued.

In response to this extraordinary love, John urges believers to love one another. The logic is simple yet profound: if God loves us so deeply, we, too, should love others. This love is not merely an emotion but a deliberate action, mirroring the selfless and sacrificial nature of God’s love. It calls us to forgive, serve, and care for one another, reflecting the love we have received from God.

To love as God loves means to go beyond superficial gestures. It requires us to actively seek the good of others actively, even when it’s inconvenient or difficult. It challenges us to love those who may not love us back, extending grace and kindness without expecting anything in return. Doing so makes us living testimonies of God’s love in a world that desperately needs it.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the incredible love You have shown us through Jesus Christ. Help us fully grasp the depth of Your love and let it transform our hearts, filling us with hope and inspiration. Enable us to love others with the same selfless and sacrificial love You gave us. May our lives reflect Your love, bringing hope and light to those around us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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