…let us…

1 John 4:7-9 NKJV — Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 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.

“Beloved, let us love one another…”

There is a beautiful key to this verse which begins with one word: beloved.

This letter was penned by John, one of the twelve disciples and part of the three men closest to Jesus.

He used the description of “beloved” many times in his first letter.

Because we are loved by God.

John 3:16-17 NKJV — “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

Jesus’s life, death, and Resurrection is proof of God’s love.

All of scripture is the story of God’s love.

Thus, John begins with the incredible fact that we are loved by God.

It doesn’t end there.

When we realize the extent of God’s love for us, when we accept His gift of salvation we find the old ways of darkness need to fall off of our hearts and minds.

We need to make a choice to live as He does, because we now carry His name upon our lives.

As those who bear His name, we need to live honorably before both God and mankind.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

It’s clear, if we know God and His love, we too must love.

What is equally true is the lack of love points to the wicked one, whose very goal is to ruin and destroy.

John 10:10 KJV — The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The true motives of the heart are where the testimony resides.

“He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 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.”

And we circle back to the beginning, beloved by God, saved through His sacrifice, because He cares for you.

Only through Jesus Christ can we live eternally with God.

Only through Jesus Christ can we understand what loving others truly is.

Only through Jesus Christ can we walk today in loving as He does.

1 John 4:11 NKJV — Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Lord, thank You for coming to Earth and teaching us what love truly is. Lord, thank You for being our example and our teacher. Lord, please help me to love others more, to live free from sin, bitterness, jealousy, covetousness, falsehood, and fear, but rather help me to fear You instead, to love You, to be devoted to You and Your Word. Lord Jesus, I humbly submit myself before You. Show me where sin is hiding, that I might turn away from it. Lord, please reveal those areas I am withholding love, that I might learn to love. Lord, please show me where I am afraid, that I might trust You instead. Thank You, Jesus for the truth of Your Word. Thank You for life eternal in Your sacrifice. Thank You for healing the sick, returning the prodigal, providing for the needy, and saving the lost. Lord, most of all, thank You for Your love! I love You, Jesus. Help me to love You more. Amen.