August 23: Jeremiah 31-32; 1John 4

Scripture: 1John 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Observation: God’s love is demonstrated in that He sent His Son, Jesus into the world. Our love is to be expressed, not just in returning it to God, but in loving those around us.

God’s love for us was proved before we were ever able to return it. His love for us took the risk of not being returned. Our love for Him can never reach that level because we are certain of his love before we ever reach out in love to Him.

The God kind of love causes us to reach out to others before we know how they will respond. We love them without any guarantee they will return our love.

Application: The proof of God’s love for me is that He sent His Son. The proof of my love for God is that I love the people around me. My love for the people I can see is proof of my love for the God I cannot see.

Prayer: Lord, I want my love for you to be visible. May it be seen in my love for those around me. Amen.

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!