Loving One Another
February 19, 2026
Verse:
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.” (1 John 4:11-12, KJV)
Devotional:
Love is the very essence of God. In fact, God is love (1 John 4:8). His love is perfect and unchanging. It is unconditional and sacrificial. We are called to love others just as God loved us. This kind of love is not easy to give, but it is essential for our spiritual growth and for the advancement of God’s kingdom.
In 1 John 4:11-12, the apostle John reminds us that if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. This means that our love for others should mirror God’s love for us. We must love sacrificially, without expecting anything in return. We must love unconditionally, even when it’s difficult to do so. We must love others just as they are, without judgment or condemnation.
John goes on to say that no one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. When we love others, we are reflecting the love of God to the world. We are shining His light and pointing others to Him. Our love for others is a testimony to the world that God is real and that He loves us.
As we seek to love others, we must remember that we cannot do it on our own. We need the Holy Spirit to empower us and to help us love others as God loves us. We need to pray for God’s love to fill our hearts so that we may overflow with love for others. When we allow God’s love to flow through us, we become vessels of His grace and mercy.
Daily Challenge:
Today, choose to love someone who is difficult to love. Pray for them and ask God to help you see them through His eyes. Show them kindness and grace, even if they don’t deserve it. Ask God to fill your heart with His love so that you may overflow with love for others.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for your perfect love. Help us to love others just as you have loved us. Fill our hearts with your love so that we may overflow with love for others. Help us to love sacrificially, unconditionally, and without judgment. Empower us with your Holy Spirit to love those who are difficult to love. May our love for others be a testimony to the world that you are real and that you love us. In Jesus' precious name, we pray. Amen.