Today's Verse: 1 John 4:20

Sunday, February 13, 2005

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
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

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.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

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...."
Black Lives Matter
Article by Rubel Shelly
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.
Whom Do You Hate?
Article by Bill Denton
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 Sunday, February 13, 2005

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by John Irving:
"Without somehow destroying me in the process, how could God reveal himself in a way that would leave no room for doubt? If there were no room for doubt, there...."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'God Uses Wounded Healers' (Acts 7:35-38)
"[Stephen reminded his adversaries of the kind of leader Moses was:] "So God sent back the same man his people had previously rejected when they..."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'God Our Strength' (Ps. 81:1-3)
"Sing praises to God, our strength. Sing to the God of Jacob. Sing! Beat the tambourine. Play the sweet lyre and the harp. Blow the ram's horn at new....."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Resurrection Power'
"Dear Disciple, The apostle Paul prayed a meaningful and moving prayer for the Christians in Asia Minor. Here is part of his prayer:I pray that your....."

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