Our scripture this morning is 1 John 4:9-11.
God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.
John wrote in his Gospel “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him might have eternal life” (John 3:16). He phrases it slightly differently here in his letter, but the message is the same: God loves us so much He was willing to give up a part of Himself in order to save us. All life is precious to God, but we were created specifically in His image. We have been given a special responsibility to care for His creation. May we accept and fulfill the charge He has given us, loving Him and one another as Jesus taught.
Gracious God, when we fell into sin You made a way for us to be redeemed through Your Son. Bless us to go in Your name to share that love with the world. Amen.
