1 John 4:7
Memory Verse
Beloved, let us love one another because the love is out from God, and those who are loving are born out from God and experientially know God (1 John 4:7).
This quality of love is not found in humans. It is a love that seeks the best for the one loved. Love from a human perspective is the willingness to sacrifice for what a man desires (Luke 20:46). Therefore, when humans express love, it is always selfish in nature. This is especially seen in the improper use of love as an excuse to permit a corrupt or perverse lifestyle. It is uncaring and indifferent to encourage another person in behavior that is destructive to them.
Since God’s quality of love can only be manifested in a human by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23), those who are characterized as ones who seek the best for their fellow believers show by their actions that they are out from God.
Love is long-suffering—it holds out its anger against unreasonable people. Love is kind—it makes others feel at ease. Love is not jealous. Love is not boastful or prideful. Love does not act in an unbecoming manner, does not seek its own, is not provoked, and does not reckon wrong to others. Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but together rejoices with truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things, for love never falls (1 Corinthians 13:5–8).