1 John 4:7–12

Read the passage.

These few verses explain a lot of what is wrong in the world today. Knowledge of God in a saving way is linked to loving the brethren. “Love is love,” the world says, but what they are talking about is gratification. Instead, “God is love” (v. 8) and His love for us teaches us what love truly is. The Father sent the Son into the world to live a perfect life, die the death we deserve, and rise again to prove His authenticity. All this He did while we were His enemies and hostile to His message and purposes. Most of us would be willing to die for our family. Some of us might even die for our friends or allies. None of us would die for our enemies.

So then, when we have experienced the love of God in such a deep way, it fills up our lives and flows out to those around us. We begin to love as God loves, and we love those God loves.

Increase our love for You and for those around us.