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1 John 4:10 - REAL LOVE!1 John 4:10 (NLT) This is real love - not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.INTRODUCTION Everyone believes that love is important, but love is usually thought of as a feeling. In reality, love is a choice and an action, as 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 shows. God is the source of our love. He loved us enough to sacrifice his Son for us. Jesus showed us perfectly what it means to love; everything he did in life and death was supremely loving. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to love; he lives in our hearts and makes us more and more like Christ. How well do you display your love for God in the choices you make and the actions you take? Love explains (1) why God creates - because he loves, he creates people to love; (2) why God cares - because he loves us, he reaches out to sinful people; (3) why we are free to choose whether we will follow him - God wants a willing, sincere, and loving response from us; (4) why Christ died - his love for us moved him to offer a solution to the problem of sin; and (5) why we receive eternal life - God's love will express itself to us forever. Nothing sinful or evil can exist in God's presence. Because of his absolute goodness, he cannot overlook, condone, or excuse sin as though it never happened. He loves us, but his love does not make him morally lax. If we trust in Christ, however, we will not have to bear the penalty for our sins (1 Peter 2:24). We will be acquitted by his atoning sacrifice (Romans 5:18). [Life Application SB 2019] COMMENTARY PEARL In the contemplation of Christ we linger on the shore of a love that is measureless. We endeavor to tell of this love, and language fails us. We consider His life on earth, His sacrifice for us, His work in heaven as our advocate, and the mansions He is preparing for those who love Him, and we can only exclaim, O the height and depth of the love of Christ! "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." 1 John 4:10; 3:1. In every true disciple this love, like sacred fire, burns on the altar of the heart. It was on the earth that the love of God was revealed through Christ. It is on the earth that His children are to reflect this love through blameless lives. Thus sinners will be led to the cross to behold the Lamb of God. AA333-334 COMMENTARY The hate gleaming from their eyes made the atmosphere even more oppressive. Satan was leading these religious men to kill an innocent person whose only crime was believing in Jesus. The evil throng grabbed the Christian and flung him out of the city gates and stoned him to death. Incredibly, Stephen's dying words were, "Lord, do not charge them with this sin" (Acts 7:60). His last act was to forgive. What a testimony! Stephen was following the example of his Master, who also asked that those murdering Him would be forgiven (Luke 23:34). It was love that compelled Stephen and Jesus to forgive their executioners. And God's love for us is the reason He "sent His Son" - there was no amount of penitence, absolutions, or indulgences that we could do to earn God's love and forgiveness. It was a free gift from our loving Creator. The fulfillment of God's love for us was when, according to today's Bible promise, He "sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." Christ dying on the cross was the only sacrifice great enough to redeem us. Our sins nailed Him to the cross, and it is by His blood that our sins are forgiven. Likewise, we must forgive others so that we might be forgiven (Luke 6:37). Harboring unforgiveness toward others does us more harm than it does them. The beautiful gift of forgiveness is for all. It is freely given when you humbly accept Christ's sacrifice and ask to be forgiven. Remember that "this is love ... that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." That is a wonderful promise! Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love that sent Your Son to die on the cross for my sins. Help me to forgive others and show Your love to them. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts] QUESTION What Is The Essence Of This Statement On Love? Yes, 1st John 4:10 is considered the definition of true, sacrificial love, focusing on God's initiative rather than human effort. It defines love not as our affection for God, but as God's proactive, unconditional love shown by sending His Son to pay the penalty for our sins. o The Essence of True Love: 1st John 4:10 ("Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins") defines love as an action-oriented sacrifice, not just a feeling. o Definition of Propitiation: The term refers to Jesus being the atoning sacrifice that satisfies justice, effectively turning away wrath and reconciling sinners to God. o Unconditional Nature: This love is described as unconditional, originating entirely with God while humanity was lost in sin, rather than in response to human goodness. o A Model for Action: This verse sets the standard for how humans should love others, placing the focus on giving and sacrifice rather than receiving. o Core Message: It highlights that "true love" is God's love for us, which then enables us to love others. This passage is foundational in Christian theology for understanding God's character and the nature of love. AI LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY 1 John 4:10 - REAL LOVE! https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220820-0859.html http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200326-0757.html 1 John 4:8, 16 - GOD IS LOVE. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220907-0811.html John 3:16 - Whosoever Believes in Christ. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20250817-1422.html 1 Corinthians 13:13 - The Greatest Of These Is Love. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20250425-1257.html |