We love because he first loved us.
1 John 4:19 NIV
God loves me. That is so amazing to me. When I think that the creator of this universe even knows who I am, much less loves me, I am overwhelmed. I know me, what I am, and how unworthy I am of God’s love. Yet I am told repeatedly in the Scripture that he does indeed love me. And his presence and work in my life affirm that. God does indeed love me.
And, because he loves me, I am enabled to love others. I am not naturally a very loving person. I am actually quite selfish. My first thought is usually for what will benefit me and bring me comfort. But God’s love enables me to love others. To put their interests ahead of my own. I can love them because God first loved me.
I don’t mean to imply that I have completely overcome my selfish nature or that responding in love comes naturally now. But through the years, God has been at work in my life, conforming me into his image, and enabling me to love. I know by experience the truth of this verse. I love others only because he first loved me.
