because He first loved us.
This phrase highlights the initiative of God's love. God's love is the foundation and motivation for our ability to love others. The concept of God loving us first is a recurring theme in Scripture, demonstrating His grace and mercy. Romans 5:8 states, "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This underscores the unconditional nature of God's love, which is not dependent on human actions or worthiness. The ultimate expression of this love is seen in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, who is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah. God's love is proactive, reaching out to humanity even when they are estranged from Him. This divine love serves as a model for believers, who are called to love others in the same selfless and unconditional manner.

• The opening pronoun gathers every believer into one family. “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1).

• Our identity is corporate yet personal. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder, as in 1 Peter 2:9, where we are “a chosen people, a royal priesthood.”

• Because the Spirit of adoption cries “Abba, Father” in our hearts (Romans 8:15), we are already positioned to receive and reflect divine affection.

• John is speaking of active, self-giving love—expressed in deeds, not just words (1 John 3:18).

• This love reaches both upward (adoration of God) and outward (service to people). Jesus framed it plainly: “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).

• The Spirit produces this fruit in us (Galatians 5:22), so love is not optional seasoning; it is the main course of Christian living.

• A causal connector: our love has a foundation, not a hunch.

• We do not manufacture love to impress God; we respond to what He has already poured out (Ephesians 2:4-5).

• “The love of Christ compels us” (2 Corinthians 5:14). When grace grips the heart, gratitude flows outward.

• Titus 3:4-6 reminds us that salvation and renewal are rooted in “the kindness and love of God our Savior,” not in our own works.

• Priority: God moved toward us long before we moved toward Him. “But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

• Initiative: The cross is the ultimate demonstration—“In this is love… He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10).

• Security: Because His love came first, it does not depend on our fluctuating feelings (John 3:16).

• Empowerment: Knowing we are loved first unleashes fearless love for others (1 John 4:18).

1 John 4:19 teaches that our capacity to love springs entirely from God’s prior, pursuing love. We, the redeemed family, are called to live out an active, Spirit-produced love. We do so not to earn favor but because favor has already found us in Christ.