Today's Verse: 1 John 4:20

Monday, February 13, 1961

If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
— 1 John 4:20
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Singing "O how I love Jesus!" and "I love you, Lord, and I lift my voice to worship you, O my soul rejoice..." sounds great. However, Jesus responds to us singing these words by asking us a simple and clear question: How well are you doing with loving your brothers and sisters? We can't love God, we can't appreciate Jesus, and we can't be filled with the Holy Spirit if we won't love those around us.

My Prayer...

Forgive me, dear Father, for the times I have harbored pettiness in my heart or been unforgiving to those who needed my grace. I recognize that when I am unloving to my brothers and sisters in Christ or even unloving to my neighbors, I am unloving to you. Please bless me as I work to reconcile some recent unresolved Christian relationships, remove long-held bitterness, and offered genuine love toward those who have wounded me. Help these mended friendships bring glory to you and vitality to your Church. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

9 Related Resources by Heartlight

Brotherly Love
Illustration of 1 John 4:20
Inspirational illustration of 1 John 4:20 -- If anyone says, I love God, yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.
1 John 4:20-21
Devo: Today's Verse
"If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not...."
Black Lives Matter
Article by Rubel Shelly
So what does this mean for all of us! Rubel Shelly writes about the current epidemic of racism that has shown up in recent days and has been confronted with the Black Lives Matter campaign.
Whom Do You Hate?
Article by Bill Denton
So why do we deny it instead of addressing it in our lives? Bill Denton challenges us to understand that hateful behavior is our expression of hate no matter how we try to deny it.
See All 9 Related Resources about 1 John 4:20

Illustration

Illustration of 1 John 4:20 — If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, February 13, 1961

Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Matthew 6:6
"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Spirit Powered Ministry' (Is. 61:1)
"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to....."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Father to the Fatherless' (Ps. 68:4-6)
"Sing praises to God and to his name! Sing loud praises to him who rides the clouds. His name is the Lord — rejoice in his presence! Father to..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Psalms 103:2
"It is a delightful and profitable occupation to mark the hand of God in the lives of ancient saints, and to observe his goodness in delivering them,....."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse