We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19
Paul describes two ways that the love of God is being made known. First, he says, “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Rom. 5:5). Then, a few verses later, Paul says,” God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (5:8).
How are these two ways of making God’s love known connected? When people believe that God’s love is poured out in His Son, then the Holy Spirit pours out God’s love in their hearts. This is why John says, “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
Here’s where developing the capacity to love begins. The love of God poured out in Jesus gets poured into you. “We love because he first loved us” (4:19). The more you experience the love of Christ filling your heart, the more you will be able to love others well.
The more you are filled with the love of God, the greater your capacity to be a good friend. The more you are filled with the love of God, the more you will become a good church member who builds up the body of Christ. The more you are filled with the love of Christ, the more you will be able to love well—your spouse, your children, your friends, and your coworkers.
Pray along with the apostle Paul from Ephesians 3:14-19. “Lord, I want to know the breadth, length, height, and depth of Your love. I want to know this love that surpasses knowledge. I want to be filled with all the fullness of God.”
