Notes of Faith April 25, 2026
Pastor’s Pen Pulpit
September 15, 2002
“GOD’S CIRCLE OF LOVE”
I John 4:19
We love Him because He first loved us.
Two important truths about the unfathomable love of God are implied in this mighty little verse.
1. Love begins with God.
”He (God) first loved us.” What a statement. Before He created the earth or the heavens or anything else, the eternal God loved us. I feel honored beyond words when I dwell on this truth. The first thing God did was to love us. This love precipitated not only the creation of man but the sending of God’s Wonderful Son to take away our sin.
2. God’s love changes us.
“We love Him because He first loved us.” We were not even able to love until God’s love touched us. In our fallen state we were filled with hate. We weren’t able to love as God loves. Oh, we loved in a shallow, human way and everyone, to a certain extent, can love in this manner. But to love in God’s way requires God to first love us!
When that love touched us through the Lord Jesus Christ, we were changed. For the first time, we were able to love as God loves. We might read the verse in this way:
We are able to love because God first loved us.
Now the love that emanates from our hearts is precipitated by the love of God. When we are treated unjustly or are objects of scorn from the world, we don’t have to lash out in hate or resentment. We can demonstrate God’s love.
How can we do this? Because He first loved us. Nor do we no longer have to fear those who hate us. Why? Because perfect love casts out fear (I John 4:18).
What is Love?
It’s silence when your words would hurt,
It’s patience when your neighbor’s curt.
It’s deafness when the scandal flows,
It’s thoughtfulness for another’s woes.
It’s promptness when stern duty calls,
It’s courage when misfortune falls.
Beloved, let us release God’s love in some way to someone today. Remember – we CAN love because God first loved us. God bless.
Love to you all,
Pastor Charles Covington
Real love involves sacrifice.
John 3:16-17
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.
Eph 5:2
Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
Heb 13:15-16
Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. 16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Let us learn to love sacrificially…God and other people!
Pastor Dale