Discovering Divine Love: How God Loved Us First
Love did not begin with our effort.
It did not originate in our perfection, our faithfulness, or our response.
Love began with God.
Scripture grounds us in this truth:
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
— 1 John 4:8–10
Before we reached for Him, He reached for us.
Before we understood love, He demonstrated it on the cross.
God’s love was never reactive, it was intentional and remains intentional, sacrificial and still sacrificial, freely given and still offered to us without condition.
This truth changes everything about how we love others.
So often, we tie love to effort and outcome. We believe love must be earned, proven, or returned to be real. But But biblical love tells a different story, one rooted not in performance, but in grace.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
— John 3:16
God did not wait for humanity to get it right. He gave first. He loved first.
If God loved us before we ever responded, then love, by nature, is not dependent on return. It is not sustained by validation or approval. Love flows from knowing who God is, and who we are in Him.
When love begins with God, we stop loving to be fulfilled and start loving from fullness. We no longer strive, manipulate, or fear rejection. We love freely, wisely, and securely, trusting God with the outcome.
This is what explains how we are able to obey Matthew 5:44 and love our enemies: we carry within us what they may not yet have, a love they need, not one we lack.
This kind of love brings peace to the heart and clarity to relationships. It reminds us that love is not something we manufacture, it is something we receive and then reflect.
If this reflection encouraged you, take a moment to pause and reflect:
How has knowing God’s love shaped the way you love others?
I’d love to hear your thoughts, feel free to share in the comments.
For more faith-filled reflections check out Love Is Not Supposed To Hurt and Love Beyond Winning And Losing, and continue the journey of growing deeper in love, trust, and truth.
