1st John 4:19. “We love him, because he first loved us.” HE FIRST. When long before the sky was blue Or angels had a song – Divine Persons did exist together, The Eternal Three in One. Not limited then or ever, Their roles were well defined, In purpose never One did sever As eternity rolled into time.
Man became a spiritual being By means of God’s intent; And God gave him special meaning, With a body, a soul and a spirit. So not just could tasks be complete, Or things of beauty he could enjoy; But with the spirit, he, God could meet And personal holy love they could employ.
In the darkness of separation By sin, love in man was lost. And from that came condemnation, Sin has such an awful cost. But love in God has never faded, His love for mankind remained. When the Father sent the Lord Jesus, Divine love was in the ultimate displayed.
It was an act of love of the Father, To send us His Beloved Son. It was an act of the love of the Savior, To willingly die for everyone. It was an act of the Holy Spirit, Who in love drew me unto God. It was an act of the love through the Bible To bring light through His Holy Word.
He loved me first is unmistakably clear, That love has been shown to me. His love in bringing the Gospel here, Was so blind sinners could really see They have been loved first, Oh so supremely, That there aren’t words a tongue can tell. But God’s love is revealed so plainly, That this sinner will never see hell.
A remarkable thing has happened; I can now love Him in return. And though my capacity is limited, He will never my love for Him spurn. He loved me first it is true, And that love was never deserved – My love is given Him to whom love is due With sincere devotion – God help me Him to serve.
“Father, I know my love is feeble, but I do love Thee. I do love the Lord Jesus for who He is and what He has done, and I love the awareness of the Holy Spirit within. I praise Thee in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
On the other hand, the profession of love means nothing if the principle of love is not demonstrated. It is easy to say, "I love you," when it is no more than a greeting or the way a conversation is closed. If love doesn't cost anything, the profession doesn't mean anything. It is possible to attend assembly meetings because we profess to love God and His people. However, when they are right in front of us, and their needs are known to us, and we do nothing about them, we fail the test of love. Love for God is real when my love for fellow believers and/or family is real. We can actually see human beings with our eyes, so our love for them is evident when it is there. If that is not true, and love for others is absent, to say I love God who I cannot see is actually a lie.
The teaching of the word of God right from the beginning is that loving God and loving others goes together as characteristics of genuine faith. When we love God, we do what He says. When we love our neighbor, we want what is best for that person and will seek to make sure they get that at whatever cost is necessary to pay. The principle of love [v.19] goes beyond a mere profession of love [v.20], to proof of love [v.21]. "By this shall all men know ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another" [Jn.13:35].