1 John 4:7-10

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. 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.

1 John 4:7-10

Before we can truly love others, we must understand where love originates. John traces love back to its source—God himself. God doesn’t just demonstrate love; He is love. Every expression of genuine love flows from His nature. When we struggle to love difficult people or maintain love when our feelings fade, we’re reminded that we cannot give what we don’t possess. The incarnation and crucifixion reveal love’s full measure: God sent His Son not because we deserved it, but because love defines who He is.

So, pause for a moment and receive God’s love for you personally. Let His love fill the empty places in your heart. Only when we’re convinced of His love for us can we overflow with love toward others. You are divinely loved—not because of who you are, but because of who He is.

Pastor Wade O’Neill