Today's Verse: 1 John 4:20-21

Sunday, January 14, 1962

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. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."
— 1 John 4:20-21

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Love! The word can mean anything. Many in the Christian community have tried to define it by a dictionary or lexicon, not realizing the key word for love, agape, is defined by action. Before Christians got a hold of agape, it meant the same thing our word today does: just about anything! But if you read 1 John, you see what love is by what God does. God demonstrates his love. He asks us to do the same for our brothers and sisters. Love must be more than talk; it must be genuinely demonstrated in action!

My Prayer...

Precious Father, you have so graciously shared your love with me. I must confess, in my heart I intend to love others as you do, but my intentions often get washed away with "busy-ness" or timidity. Father, through your Spirit, prompt me to show my love to others in actions rather than just thought and talk. Through Jesus, your greatest demonstration of love I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

14 Related Resources by Heartlight

1 John 4:20
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...."
1 John 4:21
Devo: Daily Wisdom
"And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."
1 John 4:21
Devo: Today's Verse
"And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. "
1 John 4:21
Devo: Today's Verse
"And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love their brother and sister."
See All 14 Related Resources about 1 John 4:20-21

Illustration

Illustration of 1 John 4:20-21 — 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. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Sunday, January 14, 1962

Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Psalms 33:21
"Blessed is the fact that Christians can rejoice even in the deepest distress; although trouble may surround them, they still sing; and, like many..."
Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by George Meredith:
"There is nothing the body suffers the soul may not profit by."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Christians!' (Acts 11:26)
"When [Barnabas] found [Saul in Tarsus], he brought him back to Antioch. Both of them stayed there with the church for a full year, teaching large..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'You Have Rescued Me' (Ps. 54:4,)
"God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive! ... I will praise your name, O Lord, for it is good. For you have rescued me from my troubles and helped me..."

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.

More Today's Verse