Today's Verse: 1 John 4:21

Thursday, February 15, 2001

And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love their brother and sister.
— 1 John 4:21
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

For over a week, John has repeatedly reminded us that we MUST love our brothers and sisters in Christ. Today's reminder, however, is the clincher. If we love God, we MUST love his children, our brothers and sisters in Christ. Notice that the word isn't "should love..." or "will try to love..." or "want to love..." No, the word is "MUST!" God's point is clear: Loving each other is not optional, negotiable, or something to be delayed. God sent Jesus to die for the sins of all of God's children. How can we not love those for whom Christ died (Romans 14:15; 1 Corinthians 8:11). As Paul will say to the Corinthians, "God's love compels us" (2 Corinthians 5:14). We MUST love God's children!

My Prayer...

Sovereign Lord, forgive my sometimes selective practice of loving your children. With your grace, I ask you to bless, nourish, and sustain my brothers and sisters in Christ, whether they like me or don't like me, whether they show love to me or seek to harm me. Help me love them more - more fully, more consistently, and more like Jesus. I pray today for several of your children who have great trials and burdens... (Please list some of those you know who need God's help). Empower me through your Spirit to love some who are hard for me to love. Use me to minister to them in tangibly loving ways. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

9 Related Resources by Heartlight

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. "
Brotherly Love
Illustration of 1 John 4:21
Scripture Image of 1 John 4:21 -- Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
In times like these, is anything more important?
Illustration of 1 John 4:21
Inspirational illustration of 1 John 4:21 -- Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
See All 9 Related Resources about 1 John 4:21

Illustration

Illustration of 1 John 4:21 — And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love their brother and sister.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, February 15, 2001

God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Propelled!' (Ac. 13:4)
"Sent off on their new assignment by the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Saul went down to Seleucia and caught a ship for Cyprus."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'God's Grace Is for Everyone!' (Acts 10:34-35)
"[When Cornelius told Peter about his vision instructing him to send for Peter,] Peter replied, "I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In....."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Evening Thought: John 5:39
"The Greek word here rendered search signifies a strict, close, diligent, curious search, such as men make when they are seeking gold, or hunters when...."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Earnest Caregiving' (2 Co. 8:16-23)
"Dear Father, to whom all honor is due, Thank you for the earnest care you put into the heart of people like Titus. Thank you for people who respond....."

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