We love because God first loved us. 1 John 4:19 CEB
Read 1 John 4:7-21
Through our grandchildren, I am rediscovering things I missed as a parent or had forgotten. Their joyful cries of “Nana, Papa!” warm our hearts. From that initial greeting to the time we leave, we share fun, silliness, and pure love.
These moments remind us of a profound truth in Scripture. Children learn love from us through our actions and interactions. They feel loved when we hold them, play games, and say, ‘I love you.’ By modeling love and showing empathy—like kissing away booboos and helping them understand others’ feelings—we help them grow up feeling loved and capable of loving others. These everyday actions are crucial for their emotional development.
This learning aligns with 1 John 4:7-21, which teaches that love originates from God. We are called to love one another because God first loved us. Love is not just a feeling but an action reflecting God’s presence. By nurturing our children and grandchildren with love, we embody God’s love and help them grow in their understanding and ability to love others.
Even if some haven’t experienced this love from family, the Bible reassures us of God’s love. “This is how the love of God is revealed to us: God has sent his only Son into the world so that we can live through him. This is love: it is not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as the sacrifice that deals with our sins.” (v. 9-10)
God loved us before we were born. He sent Jesus so we may experience love completely. We feel His presence in scripture and prayer, His provision of our needs, and His comfort when we are hurt. We know how to love because we’ve experienced His love.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the boundless love You have shown us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to reflect this love in our daily interactions with our children, grandchildren, and everyone we meet. Teach us to model Your love through our actions, words, and compassion. May we always remember that we love because You first loved us. Guide us to be beacons of Your love, nurturing those around us and helping them to grow in their understanding of Your grace and mercy. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Tim
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