God's love compels believers to love Him and others, manifesting as a fruit of the Spirit in our lives (1 John 4:19).
The influence of God's love in a believer's life is transformative. As highlighted in 1 John 4:19, ‘We love him because he first loved us’, the truth of God's initiating love propels us to love Him in return. This love is not stagnant; it produces tangible outcomes in our lives, evident in how we interact with others. The love of God is a grace of the Spirit, enabling us to delight in Him, His ways, and His people, and manifests itself in actions that reflect Christ-like love. Love toward God leads to love toward our neighbors, establishing a community forged in grace and unity, fulfilling the commandment to love one another.
Scripture References:
1 John 4:19, Galatians 5:22-23
Commentary