In this 1 John 4:7 Devotional, we’ll explore why loving one another is so important and how it forms the foundation of our Christian faith. God’s love not only gives us the strength to love others but also shows us how to live in a way that reflects His glory every day.
What is the Meaning of 1 John 4:7?
The Apostle John, who is often called the disciple of love, wrote extensively about the importance of showing God’s divine love to one another. In this verse, he reminds us that love is more than just a feeling, it’s a reflection of God’s nature. As followers of Jesus, we’re called to embrace this truth and share it with those around us.
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God.
1 John 4:7 NKJV
The “L” word, LOVE.
So many people are afraid of it. They’re afraid if they feel love, they’ll get hurt. And they’re afraid if they show love, they’ll appear weak.
But the meaning of this scripture is simple. Love is from God, and we should show His love to everyone we meet. The Holy Bible teaches us that true love flows from God Himself, it isn’t based on our emotions or circumstances but on His perfect and unconditional love for us. Without this divine love as our foundation, we would be lost in a world without hope. But when we reflect His love, we not only honor God but also reveal His glory to the world.
Three Ways to Reflect God’s Love
The book of First John talks at length about love and what it means to us as Christians. It reminds us that real love comes from God, the true source of love, and is at the heart of our relationship with Him. As human beings, we often fall short of loving perfectly, but when we accept God’s love, we’re transformed into His children and empowered to love others as He does.
This love isn’t something we can create on our own, it flows through us because we’re connected to the ultimate source of love. As a child of God, you have the unique privilege of sharing His love with the world. So, let’s look at three fundamental parts of love that represent our faith in Jesus and what it means to truly love one another.
#1 God’s Unconditional Love for Us
When we think about love, it’s easy to consider it a feeling or emotion. But the kind of love God shows us goes far beyond human understanding. The Bible uses the Greek word agape to describe this unconditional love, a love that’s selfless, sacrificial, and given freely without expecting anything in return. As God’s children, we experience this love in its purest form, and it’s the foundation of our faith and relationship with Him.
In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
The first and most important component of our Christian love is that God loved us first.
God loves us. But our sins are a barrier that separates us from Him. No matter how hard we try, we can’t get past it on our own.
So, God sent Jesus to be the sacrifice we needed for our sins. This is the ultimate expression of agape love, one that shows us what true, selfless love looks like. When Jesus died on the cross, the barrier of sin was torn down, and the intimate relationship between God and man was restored. Once we accept the gift of God’s everlasting love, we’re called to share this kind of love with others, reflecting His light to the world.
#2 Jesus’ Sacrificial Love for Us
The love of the Father is beautifully displayed through the Son of God, who came into the world to rescue us from sin. As the Savior of the World, Jesus showed us a kind of sacrificial love that goes beyond anything we could ever imagine. His life was the ultimate atoning sacrifice, offered so that we could be reconciled to God. This act of love demonstrates the depth of God’s desire to bring us into His family and secure our eternal future.
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13 New International Version
Jesus knew He would face betrayal, pain, and death on the cross. But He willingly came to earth anyway and laid down His life for us. He did it so we could have eternal life with Him in Heaven.
Without the great love of Jesus, we wouldn’t have salvation or the assurance of eternity. His sacrifice is the ultimate proof of how deeply our Savior cares for us. When we take a moment to reflect on His incredible love, we’re reminded of the lengths Jesus went to so we could experience God’s grace and mercy. It’s through the atoning sacrifice of the Savior of the World that we learn to love others with the same selfless devotion He showed us.
#3 Our Obedient Love for Others
Loving others isn’t just a suggestion, it’s a command deeply rooted in God’s Word. As believers, we’re called to reflect God’s love by treating those around us with the same love we’ve received from Him, especially our brothers and sisters in Christ. This brotherly love demonstrates our obedience to God and serves as a powerful testimony to a world filled with lost, heartbroken people. When we follow this command, we reveal the heart of God to those longing for genuine love and compassion.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
This verse, from 1 John, specifically talks about the love we have for our Christian brothers and sisters. If God loved us, then we should love other believers.
Because how can we show love to an unbelieving world if we can’t even love other Christians? We display this kind of love by being kind to each other, showing respect when we disagree, and meeting the physical and spiritual needs of our fellow believers.
Loving others in obedience to God’s Word also strengthens our relationships and builds unity within the body of Christ. It’s through these small, daily acts of love that we become a living example of the grace of God to everyone around us.
Why is it Important to Love One Another?
The Gospel of John highlights the importance of love as a defining trait of a believer. Jesus, speaking to His disciples, gave them a clear commandment to love each other as He loved them. This commandment is echoed throughout the New Testament and serves as the heart of God’s desire for His people. As members of the body of Christ, our love for one another is a reflection of His divine nature and the transformative power of the Gospel. The beloved disciple John reminds us that this kind of love is not optional—it’s essential to our faith and our witness to the world.
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
Love in the spiritual life of a Christian isn’t an option. It’s a commandment straight from the mouth of our Savior. And our love should reflect the way Christ Jesus loves us, fully and completely.
If we truly love one another, then we’ll give the very best of ourselves just as Jesus did for us. This kind of love requires selflessness and a willingness to serve others. When we love our brothers and sisters in Christ, it creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond our church community. People outside the faith will see how we treat each other and be drawn to the love of God. The question is, what will they see? Will we be a good witness by our actions and turn them to Christ? Or will they take one look and decide Christianity isn’t for them?
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How to Love One Another When It’s Difficult
Loving others isn’t always easy, and the Christian life is full of challenges that test our patience and resolve. The Apostle Paul gives us a beautiful definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13, reminding us that love is patient, kind, and keeps no record of wrongs. However, as human beings, we often fall short of living out this ideal. There are moments when our emotions get the better of us, and we struggle to reflect God’s love to those around us. During these times it’s important to lean on God’s strength and remember that His love equips us to love unconditionally, even when it feels impossible.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil.
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NKJV
Sometimes, loving one another is hard.
I know I’m not perfect. I mess up. There are times when I get angry or frustrated. I say things I don’t mean or overreact to a situation. And I don’t always live up to the expectations of what Christian love should look like. Like everyone else, I have my good days and bad days. I’ll always be a work in progress, but I choose to follow God and let Him mold me into what He wants me to be.
His love shows us how to love others even when it feels difficult or undeserved. By seeking His guidance in prayer and reflecting on His Word, we can find the strength to love in every circumstance. Let’s remember, that every day is a new day and a new opportunity to show God’s love, even when it’s hard to do.
What Happens When We Love One Another?
Loving others is a direct reflection of the attributes of God and the gift of His grace because He is our ultimate example of love. When we show genuine love to those around us, we mirror His heart and fulfill His command to love one another. The Bible reminds us that perfect love drives out fear and brings peace into our relationships. It’s through this kind of love that we can break down barriers, heal wounds, and draw people closer to Jesus. Our love for others not only impacts their lives but also transforms our own hearts, making us more like Christ.
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:18 NIV
This verse reminds us that fear and love cannot thrive together. When we embrace God’s perfect love, it gives us the courage to love others boldly, even when it feels difficult or uncertain. True love, the kind that’s rooted in God’s grace, has the power to overcome the fears and insecurities that might hold us back from loving with our whole hearts.
We may not automatically feel love for every person we meet. Sometimes we click with people and sometimes we don’t. But that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t show the love of our Lord Jesus Christ to each, and every person God puts in our path. Christian love goes beyond feelings and becomes an intentional act of kindness and grace. We never know what is going on in someone’s life. They could be going through a tough time, and our love and kindness could be the beacon of hope that leads them into the Savior’s loving arms.
If we’re willing to let God lead us and show His love to those around us, we can be sure that He will bless us for it. Loving one another opens the door for God to work in ways we may not see immediately, but that have eternal significance. As we reflect His love and light in the world, we become living testimonies of His goodness and grace to someone who needs the love and saving grace of Christ in their life. By loving others, we truly live out the purpose God has for our lives.
Seeing God’s Hand in Loving One Another
When we love one another, we see the character of God reflected in our lives and relationships. God’s hand is always guiding us, helping us to reflect His heart and follow His example. The theme of love is central to His nature, and as children of God, we’re called to love because He first loved us. This love doesn’t come from our own strength, it flows from our Heavenly Father, equipping us to share His grace even in hard times.
We love Him because He first loved us.
1 John 4:19 NKJV
This verse reminds us that God took the first step in loving us, demonstrating what true, selfless love looks like. His love is the foundation for how we live and how we treat others. When we choose to love those around us, we allow them to see God’s hand at work in our lives, drawing them closer to Him.
Even when it feels hard to love, we can rely on God to give us the strength to keep going. Each time we share His love, we’re not only fulfilling His command but also pointing others to His amazing grace and compassion. By loving one another, we reflect the goodness of God to a world that desperately needs Him.
The Power of Christian Love
In this 1 John 4:7 Devotional, we’ve seen how loving one another reflects the very nature of God and reveals His hand at work in our lives. The love we show is more than just an expression of kindness, it’s a powerful statement of who we are as followers of Jesus. Christian love strengthens our human relationships, unites the body of Christ, and serves as a testimony to the world of God’s goodness and grace. When we live out this kind of love, we fulfill the commandment of Jesus and experience the joy and peace that come from walking within His will.
God’s love is transformative, shaping our hearts and giving us the courage to love even when it’s difficult. By loving one another, we reflect the heart of our Savior and invite others to experience His life-changing grace.
My prayer for you is that you will show the love of Jesus to someone today and feel the blessings that come from living a life of genuine, heartfelt love. Let this love be more than words, let it be an action that reflects the character of Christ in every interaction. Step out in faith, share His love with those around you, and be the light that draws people closer to Him.
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Thanks. we need a LOVE vaccine as well as an anti-corona vaccine. 2021 years and the world still does not see. thanks again for your work. love from a brother in the gospel.
Thank you, Chris! I completely agree. May we inject the love of Jesus into someone’s life today! 🙂 Blessings to you and praying for you now.
How can I go about finding the price of the prints and purchasing one or more?
Hi Brenda! The Spring Collection signed art prints are on sale from now until Aug. 4th. You can find them in the Shop. Thanks and God bless!
It’s not an option. I know it’s a song and a cliche but “what the world needs now is love, sweet love.” Visiting you today from the Faith and fire link up.
Hi Lauren! So glad you could stop by. I agree, love is not an option for Christians. It is a command straight from Jesus Himself. Be blessed!
I always tell people if you can follow this one you won’t break the Ten, and besides we are under the ministry of the Spirit not the law. But is still hard for people to just follow one rule.
I completely agree, Rebecca. If we could just love one another with the love of Christ, the world would be a much better place.