In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as expiation for our sins.1 John 4:10 NABRE
John is writing to his communities, several small letters. John’s writing is centralized on the theme of love. John is convinced that the heart of the gospel message is love. If we love, we understand Jesus message brought to the world and we can help change the world. John traces love back to the Father who wants to demonstrate the love He has for us by asking His one and only Son to become human, to live in such a way that others will want to imitate Him and to sacrifice His entire life so that others may come to know the love the Father and the Son have for all creation. John indicates that God does not act because of our love for Him, but because of His love for us. There is a phrase I have heard so much I can’t even attribute it to an original author; We should not say if you change I will love you, rather recognize that if I love you, you will change. All people need someone to believe in them, someone to see them as valuable, someone who knows where they live; meaning what their culture is, their influences, their core force. Someone who knows what they have done and what they are capable of doing. Everyone needs someone who knows their name, knows who they are, and that they are seen.
It is in discovering we are valued, important, and known that we begin to feel more appreciated and we appreciate ourselves more. This is God’s intent, that we learn how important we are to Him, and how much we are needed by God. For God this is so important He offers what is most important to Him, that we may know we are even more important than the most important thing to God.
Do you love others into change? Who sees and knows you?
God offers what is most important to Him, that we may know we are even more important than the most important thing to God. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #love #Known #John #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray #prayer #goodnews #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways