Reading
1 JOHN 4:16-21
16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world.
18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. 19 We love each other because he loved us first.
20 If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 21 And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.
Reflection
- Circle every time you see the word love in verses 16-21. Why do you think John found it necessary to speak so frequently about love?
- Take a moment and pray with “love” in mind.
- Pray for your brothers and sisters—Christians you are close to.
- Thank God for his continual love for us. Remember that he willingly sent his Son to die for us while we were still sinners.
- If you’ve read this far and have doubt or don’t know if you’ve lived this life—pray that God would take away your sin and fill you with himself.