“We love because he first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19 (NIV)
Love begins and ends with God. This short verse from 1 John 4:19 carries a message both simple and profound—it tells us that all genuine love originates from the heart of God. We do not love out of our own goodness, but because God first loved us. His love is the root from which all true love grows.
God’s Love Came Before Ours
Before we were even aware of Him, God loved us. His love did not depend on our actions, our worthiness, or our faithfulness. It began before creation and continues into eternity. God’s love was fully revealed through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8 (NIV)
This verse shows the depth of God’s grace. While we were lost, He sent His Son to bring us home. The cross stands as the clearest picture of love the world has ever seen—love that gives, forgives, and restores. When we realize how much God has done for us, our natural response is to love Him in return.
Love Flows Through Relationship With God
Our ability to love others comes from our relationship with God. When His love fills our hearts, it overflows into the way we treat others. Love becomes more than a feeling—it becomes a way of life. God’s Spirit teaches us how to show kindness, patience, and mercy, even when it’s hard.
“We love because he first loved us.” — 1 John 4:19 (ESV)
Every time we forgive someone, offer compassion, or serve others selflessly, we mirror God’s love in action. It’s His love that changes us from within, helping us to see people through His eyes.
Love Reflects God’s Nature
God is love. It’s not just what He does—it’s who He is. Because we are made in His image, we are called to reflect that love in the world. Jesus made this clear when He said that loving God and loving others are the two greatest commandments.
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” — Matthew 22:37–39 (NIV)
To love like God means putting others before ourselves. It means serving, forgiving, and caring even when it’s inconvenient. This kind of love is powerful—it brings light where there is darkness and healing where there is pain.
Living Out God’s Love in Everyday Life
True love is practical. It shows up in our daily choices—in how we speak, how we listen, and how we give. When we live out 1 John 4:19, we show the world what God’s love looks like.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” — 1 John 4:7 (NIV)
Even the smallest act of love can make a difference. Whether it’s encouraging someone who’s struggling, showing patience in traffic, or forgiving an old hurt, every action rooted in love points back to God.
| Action | How It Reflects God’s Love |
|---|---|
| Forgive someone who hurt you | Shows grace like Christ forgave us |
| Encourage a friend | Builds others up as God builds us up |
| Pray for your enemies | Reflects the mercy of Jesus |
| Serve in your church or community | Demonstrates love through action |
| Be patient and kind | Reveals the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) |
Love That Transforms
God’s love doesn’t just make us feel good—it transforms us. It breaks down pride, heals wounds, and teaches us how to love others even when it’s not easy. When His love lives in us, it changes everything—our attitudes, our relationships, and our priorities.
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” — 1 John 4:16 (NIV)
Living in love means staying connected to God. It means trusting Him to guide our hearts and relying on His strength to show love, even when our emotions fail us.
A Lasting Reminder
1 John 4:19 reminds us that love starts with God and flows through us. We love not because we have to, but because we have been loved beyond measure. His love is the foundation for our faith, the heartbeat of our relationships, and the hope that keeps us moving forward.
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” — 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
Let every act of love you show point back to the One who loved you first.
