This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
(1 John 4:9-11 NIV)
The apostle John also wrote the Gospel of John and the well-known verse that we’ve all come to know and quote, especially around this time of year. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). In his letter, John once again reminds us of that famous verse and adds, “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11).
We often talk about God’s love for us which is great, but how about our love for each other? Love came down at Christmas and lived a life of love. And while we’ll never be able to love others as He perfectly as He does, we can at least try to imitate His example of loving people as He would. And because God is love, He can help us to do just that (v. 16). I pray that we will share the gift of His love with others at Christmas time and always.
Rising with the Son 