19th June 2025

Power to Love

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God . . .

   1 John 4:7

Today's Bible Reading:  1 John 4:7-10.

If every individual on earth would only learn to love others instead of hating and fighting them, then the world would certainly be a much better place. 

But why does it happen? For centuries, preachers, poets, writers, politicians, musicians and a host of others have urged people to love each other (and I’m sure their exhortations have had some effect). But in spite of this, the 20th century was the bloodiest in history, with two world wars and a long list of other purges and conflicts. What reason do we have to think this century will be any better?

Sadly, simply telling people to love each other is not enough, because we do not have the power to love others the way we should. Our basic problem, the Bible says, is within us—within our own hearts and minds. The Lord Jesus said, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander” (Matthew 15:19). Something has gone seriously wrong with us, and that “something” is what the Bible calls sin. 

This is why we need God, for only He can change our hearts and give us the power to love others as we should. And this is what He wants to do! He loves us, and He does not want our lives to be ruined by selfishness and greed; and when we turn to Christ, He forgives the past and gives us hope for the future. I invite you to open your heart to Christ’s transforming love today. 

Prayer: Great God of Love, thank You, that You have clanged my life through Your transforming love. Help to show that love to others. In Jesus name. Amen.