No Choice But to Love

Scripture: 1 John 4: [21] And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Observation: It would have been easier if Paul says that God recommends or strongly suggests, but he said must. This means to receive unconditionally, to care for, even above your own needs putting your brother first. Why if God commands it, that it is so hard for me to love unconditionally. When I first see someone normally my first reaction is of judgment, not love, I criticize in my mind something about that person and search out negative things.

Application: I need to think about all the negative things about me and there is a lot, yet God loves me and sees nothing but good because of Jesus. There is no reason to compare anyone with anything but to look at others through God’s eyes, His child and creation and if I look in judgment, then I’m judging God’s work. I do love God and to love is to obey and love what is His.

Prayer: Dear Lord soften my heart and show me how to love others as I love you. I love because you first loved me, now may I share that love with others in your name.