“We Love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19.” (ESV, NASB)

Our promise in the very short verse is profound.  Let’s think about this. Before we ever experienced love of any measure in our hearts, God loved us.  He loved us first before we were ever able to love Him or each other. We believe that if God did not first love us, we would not be capable of love. In verse eight just a bit before this one we read “God is love.” And we learn that we cannot claim to know God if we do not love. In fact, chapter four covers how the love of God is the source and means for us to love God and others. Those who do not know God believe they can love others, but not with the love God has for us. The love that reflects the life of Christ Jesus who loved us so much He submitted to the cross and death for us. “We love, because he first loved us.” Or, “We love because he first loved us.” Different emphasis but same truth. God so loved all the world He gave His only Son for us to know and love with the love that He loved us. The only way.

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