We Love Him Because He First Loved Us (1 John 4:19)

Love is one of the most powerful forces in the world. It moves hearts, changes lives, and brings people together. But where does love originate? The Bible gives us a clear answer in 1 John 4:19:

“We love Him because He first loved us.”

This simple yet profound verse reveals an important truth about our relationship with God. Our ability to love—whether it be God, ourselves, or others—stems from the love that God has already shown us. Let’s take a deeper look at what this means for our daily lives.

God’s Love Came First

Before we ever thought about loving God, He had already set His love upon us. The Bible tells us that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). This shows that God’s love is not based on our actions, performance, or worthiness—it is purely an expression of who He is.

From the very beginning, God’s love has been present. He created us in love, pursued us in love, and redeemed us in love. Even when we turn away, He continues to love us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3).

Our Love Is a Response

Since God’s love was first, our love is a response to His. We don’t have to strive to earn His love—we simply receive it, and in turn, we love Him back.

This changes the way we view love. Instead of trying to love others from our own limited capacity, we can draw from the endless well of God’s love. This is how we can love even when it’s difficult, forgive when it hurts, and show kindness even when it’s undeserved.

Jesus Himself taught that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31). But this love only becomes possible when we first recognize how deeply we are loved by God.

Living in the Reality of His Love

If we truly grasp that God loved us first, it transforms our entire perspective on life. We no longer seek love from the world to feel valuable—we already have the most perfect love from our Heavenly Father. This truth gives us confidence, security, and joy.

So, how can we live in response to His love?

• Spend time with God – Read His Word, pray, and reflect on His love daily.
• Love others selflessly – When we experience God’s love, we naturally extend it to those around us.
• Rest in His love – Stop striving for approval and trust that you are already fully loved by Him.