Our Daily Bread: Unity in JesusShembull

Love Leads to Love

We love each other because [God] loved us first. -1 John 4:19

At church that morning, I sat in a chair closest to the exit door. I wrestled with pent-up anger, resentment, unforgiveness, and fear that had built up throughout my life and helped me keep people at a distance.

As soon as the preacher stopped talking and the music began, I rushed to pick up my children. Turning to my oldest son, I said, “Take your brother to get a donut and meet me by the car.” The last thing I wanted to do was talk to people.

This cycle of avoidance continued for months. As I listened to the sermons and began reading the Bible on my own, eventually I asked God to help me accept His love personally. Over time, my knowledge of God and my confidence in His intimate love for me grew. Now, I can barely contain my love for God and His people.

The apostle John describes this type of heart and mind transformation as a response to the ultimate display of God’s love for us (1 John 4:19). Jesus took the punishment we deserve because of our sins and gave His life for ours through His death on the cross (vv. 7–10).

Accepting the depth of God’s sacrificial love changes us (vv. 11–12) and gives us the ability to receive love and extend love toward others in the church and beyond (vv. 13–21).

Though we may struggle with feeling unlovable, God can lead us to accept and share His love.

Xochitl Dixon

When have you struggled with receiving God’s love for you? How can He help you better love others in healthy and holy ways?

Loving God, thank You for working in my heart and mind as You lead me to love You and others as selflessly as You love us.