1 John 4:10

Memory Verse

In this is the love, not that we loved the God, but that He loves us and sent His Son to be a propitiation concerning our sins (1 John 4:10).

We were never in a state of loving God. When the Son came into the world, not even His own people accepted Him (John 1:11). Today, even after such an incredible display of love, men do not seek God, nor show kindness, for they have all turned aside and become unprofitable (Romans 3:10–18).

Yet, we do know love. For God sent His Son into the world so that all those who believe on Him should not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16).

God sent forth Christ as a propitiation by His blood through faith, showing His righteousness in deferring the punishment of sins previously committed (Romans 3:25). Thus, Christ’s propitiatory work concerning our sins was not just for the saved, but also the whole world (1 John 2:2).

This is love, a love that seeks the best for the one loved. God did what was best for humans, who rejected Him and sought their own way, which leads to destruction. He provided us satisfaction concerning our sins so that we could be reconciled to Him.