Tuesday 19 May 2026
- Bible Book:
- 1 John
In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. (v. 10)
Background
A woman born in the 1930s told me this was both her favourite and most challenging few verses of scripture. Her explanation for it being her favourite was that it included the words ‘God is love’ (verse 8) which summed up her theology and her understanding of God. The reason it was challenging went back to her childhood. When reciting it from memory from the Authorised version of the Bible at a Sunday school anniversary, she struggled to pronounce 'propitiation'. Thankfully modern translations prefer ‘atoning sacrifice’ (verse 10) which is both easier to say and to understand.
By commenting this way, possibly without intending to, she summed up a great truth. We understand true love when we recognise God is love. The example of that love is shown most clearly by sending his son, Jesus, as the sacrifice that atones for sins.
This passage provides a definition of God’s love. Love is central and inseparable from God’s character and essential nature. It is the key to understanding God’s being. It is also an essential part of what it is to be a follower of Christ.
Christians are called to a practical active love (verse 8). Without it, they cannot be seen to know God. Loving others is not just an additional thing for believers, it is the result of knowing God. Following Christ does not just mean being on the receiving end of love, but rather taking an active dynamic part in lives of love.
To emphasise that point, the readers are reminded the 'atoning sacrifice' in verse 10 is not just an event but rather describes the whole action of God’s love. The lives of those who know they are loved by God have got to be changed.
The beauty of these verses lies in the fact that it doesn’t allow the believer simply to say, ‘God is love’, and not be affected. Rather it recognises that God’s initiative is the start, but the reaction to that love must be shown in our lives as we respond to God.
The woman who told me her experience was correct: these verses are both uplifting and challenging.
To Ponder:
- What does it mean to you to say ‘God is love’?
- Where are you living out a practical love this week?
Prayer
Gracious God, help me to live my life recognising and understanding the atoning sacrifice for my sins. Amen.
Bible notes author: The Revd Paul Davis
Paul is a supernumerary presbyter in the North West of England.