This is Love (1 John 4:19)

True love sees—  

Not ignores.  

It looks with compassion, like the Samaritan

 who “saw him and had pity” (Luke 10:33).  

It goes the extra mile, 

just as Jesus taught: 

“If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two” 

(Matthew 5:41).  

True love speaks and performs—  

Not just in words, but in action.  

“Let us not love in word or talk

but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18).  

It loves beyond convenience,  

Gives without expectation,  

Thinks of others more than self:  

“Do nothing from selfish ambition… but in humility 

count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).  

True love mirrors Christ—  

Who loved us first.  

“We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).  

It extends what we’ve received,  

Freely, fully, faithfully. 

 

It asks for nothing in return,  

Because it’s a response to God’s love.  

He gave up His life for us—  

The greatest gift ever given.  

“Greater love has no one than this:

to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).  

His precious blood paid for our sins:  

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is 

eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).  

This is love—  

Not that we loved Him,  

But that He loved us and sent His Son  

As an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:10).  

And now, we love  

Because He first loved us.