Not an Instinct
1 John 4:19
We love each other because he loved us first.
1 John 4 tells us that love comes from God and that God is love (see v.7-8). Love is God’s invention; it is not the instinct of man. Loving your husband and even loving your own baby is what we’ve learned from God not what humans naturally do. If love was an instinct, there would be no divorce and no abortions. God invented love, and love is so good that people copy it even if they have no intention of giving God credit for it.
The only reason I love other people is because of God. This is true for the atheist and the indifferent as well. God also invented gravity, magnetism, and dirt. He generously allows anyone and everyone to freely be a part of his inventions whether they give him credit and thanks for it or not.
But it’s arrogant to assume that we love others because we want to. We love others because we enjoy the benefits of love. But the only kind of love that lasts is the kind of love Jesus’ shows. All other love will run out of will power or time.
There may be a great many married people enjoying God’s invention of love. They even get to enjoy it even if they don’t give God credit. But their love for each other will run out one day. They will either run out of will power or they’ll run out of time on earth because only those who love with the love of Jesus in them will live to love for eternity.
All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. (1 John 4:15-17)
So, if you really love someone - tell them about Jesus, so you can love each other for forever!
Dear God,
Thank you for my husband and for my kids. I love them so much. I love them just the way they are and they love me just the way I am. This is a very free and comforting environment for my heart especially knowing that they love YOU and we will live to love each other forever with you. Thank you so much that you intend no end in sight to all this love you’ve placed in my heart. Thank you! Thank you so much! I love YOU, and I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.