We love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19)

This love for God is a result of Him loving us first.

But this result, this love for God, should be tremendously apparent in our lives. No one should be left to wonder at your funeral if you loved God or not. Our love for Him should be evident in what we say and how we live.

This love for God was never meant to be hidden, compartmentalized, or reserved for dry, Sunday-only religion.

Do others around you know you love Christ? Do they see it in your trust for Him? Do they see it in how you handle hard circumstances and difficult people? Is your joy contagious? Does God’s love flow through you to love others well?

Do your coworkers know this? How about your neighbors? Classmates?

Are you different in a good way, not a weird way?

My husband is a builder. Just recently our concrete subcontractor told one of our employees that “Deron is a good man”. He explained that a few years ago, when his father died, Deron told him to take time and take care of his family despite Deron having some pretty crucial concrete jobs waiting. He said while other builders were impatient, Deron told him he would hold the work for him, knowing he needed the money, and not to worry.

My husband has often paused jobs to pray with workers. He is patient and he is kind. Many see Jesus in Him. I know I do. He is also humble and possibly a little upset to be the subject of these few paragraphs.

But it’s because God loves my husband. This love fills him up and overflows into the lives of others.

And most, who know my sweetheart, clearly know he loves God by what he says and how he lives.

“If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.” (1 John 4:20-21)

And let me say this, though I’ve said it before, someone who loves God first is someone who can love you best! Let’s pray for our spouses. Let’s encourage their walk with Christ- and single friends, look for this in those you choose to date.

read1John

Note – this is a continuation of my study of 1 John.