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Sunday, February 1 — Loved First

Scripture: Romans 5:6–11; 1 John 4:7–10

Loving others always begins with something we receive, not something we produce. Scripture is clear that God’s love does not wait for us to get our lives together or agree with God fully. “While we were still sinners,” Paul says, Christ came toward us. That means love is not a reward for good behavior—it’s the starting point.

Many of us try to love others by sheer effort. We grit our teeth, manage our reactions, or keep our distance to avoid conflict. But that kind of love rarely lasts. It burns out quickly because it depends on our emotional energy rather than God’s grace.

When we allow ourselves to be loved by God first—fully, freely, and without condition—something shifts. We stop needing other people to validate us or agree with us. We become less defensive and more grounded. Love becomes less about control and more about connection.

Receiving God’s love is not passive. It’s a daily choice to trust that grace is real and that it’s enough to shape how we live and relate to others.

Reflection Question:
Where do you find it hardest to believe that God’s love for you is unconditional?

One Practice for Today:
Take two minutes today to say out loud: “God, I receive your love as it is—before I earn it or improve myself.”

Prayer:
God, thank you for loving me first. Help me live today from that truth, not from fear or pressure. Let your love shape how I see myself and others. Amen.