“Love is beautifully contagious—it simply can’t be contained.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – August 20, 2025
We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19
Since God first loved us, we can love Him in return, which means we can obey the greatest commandment. Our capacity to love—the Lord, others, and ourselves—comes from the initial love of our Creator. He loves us deeply, giving us the power to reflect His love outwardly. Tim Keller helps us grasp the depths of divine love: “The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed than we ever dared believe, yet more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” Wow, yes, the deeper and darker our sin, the greater the love and forgiveness of God. Our experience of heavenly love is meant to be a conduit for Christ’s love on earth, as Mother Teresa expresses, “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.” A life loved well is the Lord’s love letter delivered to lives craving love.
In our Scripture today, John addresses false teachers who claim to love God but hate their fellow believers. He establishes that genuine love comes from the divine, not human effort or emotion. The context highlights that the Lord’s love was shown by sending Jesus as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. John states that anyone claiming to love the invisible God while despising visible brothers is fooling themselves. He demonstrates that authentic love flows from experiencing our Creator’s love for us first, creating a chain reaction. God’s love enables our love for Him and others, proving our faith is real. Are you experiencing the lavish love of the Lord? Here’s how.
What is your primary role as a follower of Jesus Christ? To first be extravagantly loved by Jesus. Rest in His love. Linger in His love. Enjoy His love. And then… generously love because you’ve been generously loved. God’s generous love comes first—before we sought Him, He pursued us. This divine love isn’t earned through performance but flows from His character. The Lord’s abundant grace reveals love’s depths—the more we need, the more magnificent His grace appears. Our main calling isn’t about what we achieve but about receiving this extravagant love. When we truly understand that we are unconditionally cherished, we naturally overflow with love toward others, becoming God’s love letters to a world that longs for authentic acceptance.
A heart bursting with love spills all over other hearts. Love is beautifully contagious—it simply can’t be contained. When your heart is truly full of God’s love, it naturally overflows onto everyone around you. Like a fountain that can’t help but splash those nearby, a love-filled heart “spews”—and I say that intentionally because love can get messy sometimes. It spills into awkward conversations with difficult neighbors, bubbles up during stressful meetings, and splashes onto strangers in grocery store lines. You can’t plan to give this kind of love; it erupts spontaneously because abundance always overflows. When you’re truly loved by God, you become a love-spiller, leaving hearts a little more love-soaked wherever you go. Peruse the Word of God as the Lord’s love letter to you, as you become His epistle to a lost world.
Experience God’s love by training your spiritual eyes to see Him everywhere. In brilliant sunrises, glimpse your heavenly Father’s radiant glory. Through blooming gardens and ripening fruit, witness Jesus creating beauty and providing sustenance. Hear the Holy Spirit’s gentle guidance in soft breezes and babies’ tender coos. Creation becomes God’s love language when we look beyond surface beauty to divine presence. Every flower whispers His care, every sunset displays His artistry, every gentle sound carries His reassurance. Practice recognizing the Trinity’s faces and voices woven throughout your day, especially in the hearts of people.
Prayer
Lord, help me deeply experience Your love. Fill my heart until it overflows. Teach me to love You fully and extend that love selflessly to others in every word and action. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Application
What does it look like for you to be loved by the Lord daily and generously?
Related Reading
Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 27:17; John 14:16; Romans 5:8
Worship Resource
Brandon Lake & Phil Wickham: Gratitude
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