We love each other because He loved us first. If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? 

- 1 John 4:19-20

Loving God is easy because we know He’s patient, kind, loving in return, and His goodness knows no bounds!

However, it’s the loving others around us part that can be challenging.

When the workers at the grocery store are rude, when our co-workers are snappy, when our cousins at the family reunion are offensive, when the neighbors are critical of your faith… It can feel hard to show love in those moments.

However, if we don’t act like Christ would in those moments, then we are behaving no better than the rest of the world.

The key to loving difficult people is by experiencing the love Christ has for you and falling more in love with Him.

The more we pursue Him with passion and draw close to Him, the more we become like Him. The more we become like Him, the easier it is to show love to others, even if they’re not loving people themselves.

The things that once were so offensive to you start to roll off your shoulder. The words that once stung don’t penetrate your heart anymore because you are so saturated by the love of Christ and wrapped up in His presence!

When we begin to understand how amazing, unconditional and undeserving we are of Christ’s love, something changes in our hearts. We become more humble and grateful for His extravagant love and grace, thus urging us to extend the same love and grace to others, even when they don’t deserve it.

Today, how can you show the love of Christ today to those around you?

As lovers of Christ, we are also representatives of Christ. We represent Him to the world by how we choose to love others around us. The more we fall in love with the One who loved us first, the easier it becomes to love others.

Prayer: Lord, help me to love others the way you do! I want to represent your kingdom and who you are in a way that glorifies you and draws others to you. I long to fall more in love with you and to experience your amazing love in full measure so I can extend it to others!

With Love,
Sarah Sherstad

God's love was never meant to stop with us. As we experience His grace and compassion, we're invited to share that same love with others. Take a few moments to reflect on how God's love has shaped your life and where He may be calling you to extend that love more intentionally today.

Journal & Reflect

• How have I personally experienced God's love in this season?
• What makes it difficult for me to love certain people well?
• Is there anyone I need to forgive, encourage, or show grace to?

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 1 John 4:19 mean?

This verse teaches that our ability to love originates with God. We are able to love Him and others because He first demonstrated His love toward us through His grace and sacrifice.

Why does 1 John connect loving God and loving others?

John teaches that genuine love for God naturally affects how we treat people. Our relationship with God should be visible through compassion, forgiveness, kindness, and love toward others.

What if I struggle to love difficult people?

Loving others doesn't mean approving of harmful behavior. It means allowing God's love to guide your attitude, actions, and responses while maintaining healthy boundaries when needed.

How can I grow in loving others more like Christ?

Spend time receiving God's love through prayer and Scripture. The more deeply we understand His love for us, the more naturally we extend it to others.  

Prayer 

Father, 
Thank You for loving me first. Thank You for pursuing me with grace, mercy, and compassion even when I fall short. Help me receive Your love more deeply and allow it to transform my heart. Show me where I need to forgive, encourage, or extend grace to others. Let my life reflect Your love in both words and actions so that others may see You through me.
In Jesus' name, 
Amen.

Message from Kara

One of the most comforting truths in Scripture is that God's love doesn't depend on our performance. He loved us first—before we had everything figured out, before we got it right, and before we felt worthy of it.

When I remember that, it changes how I see both myself and the people around me. The grace we've received becomes the grace we can give.

My prayer today is that you'll rest in God's love and allow it to overflow into every relationship, conversation, and interaction this week. 

You are deeply loved. 

Cheering you on,
Kara  🤍 

Applying this to your Daily Routine

Take time to reflect, pray, and process what God is teaching you through every season. Our Personalized Prayer Journal was designed to help you grow deeper in faith—one day at a time–turning intention into habit. Many people use journals to revisit verses like these and reflect throughout the week.

👉 Explore Personalized Scripture Products at www.papersunday.com

Today's devotional pairs beautifully with the Red Floral | Personalized Scripture Journals

If you’re still working through questions of who you are, these devotionals can guide you:

Daily Devotional • Ephesians 2:19 • You Belong in God’s Family

Daily Devotional • Ephesians 1:4 • Chosen Before the Foundation of the World