I John 4:19 “We love, because He first loved us.”

THE UNLOVABLE

Have you ever met someone who you just can’t love? Well, you are right! What? That’s right! You can’t. But God can through you. But why should we love that person who just grates our last nerve? John tells us right here in the verse – “because He first loved us.”

Think about it for a second! Do you remember how you were before you came to Christ? I was awful. I only cared about myself. I wanted what I wanted when I wanted it. I was a nice enough guy, but I did not love people unless they loved me back. Why would God love me? Because He is God! It’s that simple.

TEACHING MOMENT

Have your children ever asked you, “Mom (Dad), do you love me?” They just want to be reassured that you love them, so what do you say back? “No, and I never will.” Of course not! You say, “Honey, I will always love you.” Do you stop loving them just because they disobey you? No! Do you love them less because they don’t live up to “your” expectations? No!

Our children need to know that the Lord has given believers a Spirit of love who will love others through us. There are going to be people who are hard to love. We all have them in our lives. But our children need to learn to surrender to His will and let Him do the loving.

I am often amazed at people who demand you to be tolerant of others, but are absolutely intolerant of you if you don’t. They can’t love someone unless they agree with them. But before we judge them, remember, we are just like them. We can’t love them except through the powerful love of our Father who loved us first.

His love triumphs over all.