Today's Verse: 1 John 4:10

Saturday, April 10, 2004

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
— 1 John 4:10
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Love is demonstrated, not just communicated verbally. When the Scriptures tell us that God loves us, they always show God's actions that demonstrate that love. Here, John wants us to realize that God's love goes first. God demonstrates and shares his love with us before we demonstrate our love for him. He doesn't wait till it is safe to love us. He doesn't wait until he will get something in return. Instead, he goes first and defines his love in this way so that we can know that genuine love redeems when all hope seems lost - when we are not worthy, and when we are not ready. God is love, and we know this because of what his love does, had done, and will give to us even before we choose to love him.

My Prayer...

Thank you, dear Heavenly Father, for loving me so extravagantly. Please help me see the opportunities to love others you place in my path every day. Use me, please, dear Father, to demonstrate your love to someone today and the following days of my life. Help me go first with love in my life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

34 Related Resources by Heartlight

1 John 4:10
Devo: Today's Verse
"This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."
1 John 4:10
Devo: Today's Verse
"This is love: not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."
Now this is love!
Illustration of 1 John 4:10
Image of 1 John 4:10 - In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and gave His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Love Shows Itself in Action
Devo: Together in Christ
"God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love — not..."
See All 34 Related Resources about 1 John 4:10

Illustration

Illustration of 1 John 4:10 — This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, April 10, 2004

What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Escape from Darkness' (Jn. 12:46)
"[Jesus continued,] "I have come as a light to shine in this dark world, so that all who put their trust in me will no longer remain in the dark.""
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Obedience Shows Our Love for Jesus'
"If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy..."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Only Out of Love' (Ti. 1:11-14)
"Dear Father, Help me never to teach or serve in your kingdom for selfish gain. May I live and do good out of pure love for you. Help me to stay away...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Romans 4:7
"Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered."

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