Today's Verse: 1 John 4:20

Wednesday, February 13, 1957

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If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
— 1 John 4:20
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Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Singing "O how I love Jesus!" and "I love you, Lord, and I lift my voice to worship you, O my soul rejoice..." sounds great. However, Jesus responds to us singing these words by asking us a simple and clear question: How well are you doing with loving your brothers and sisters? We can't love God, we can't appreciate Jesus, and we can't be filled with the Holy Spirit if we won't love those around us.

My Prayer...

Forgive me, dear Father, for the times I have harbored pettiness in my heart or been unforgiving to those who needed my grace. I recognize that when I am unloving to my brothers and sisters in Christ or even unloving to my neighbors, I am unloving to you. Please bless me as I work to reconcile some recent unresolved Christian relationships, remove long-held bitterness, and offered genuine love toward those who have wounded me. Help these mended friendships bring glory to you and vitality to your Church. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

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9 Related Resources by Heartlight

Brotherly Love
Illustration of 1 John 4:20
Inspirational illustration of 1 John 4:20 -- If anyone says, I love God, yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
1 John 4:20-21
Devo: Today's Verse
"If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not...."
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So what does this mean for all of us! Rubel Shelly writes about the current epidemic of racism that has shown up in recent days and has been confronted with the Black Lives Matter campaign.
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So why do we deny it instead of addressing it in our lives? Bill Denton challenges us to understand that hateful behavior is our expression of hate no matter how we try to deny it.
See All 9 Related Resources about 1 John 4:20

Illustration

Illustration of 1 John 4:20 — If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, February 13, 1957

Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Good People See' (Ps. 107:42)
"Good people see [all GOD's deeds of compassion] and are glad; bad people are speechless, stopped in their tracks."
What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Enduring Glory' (Jn. 17:24)
"[Jesus continued his prayer:] "Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
1 Peter 3:12
"For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Acts 9:11
"Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven. The moment Saul began to pray the Lord heard him. Here is comfort for the distressed but praying soul...."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

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