We love because he first loved us. —1 John 4:19
To check the chlorine levels of our hot tub, I dip a small test strip into the water. The deeper the color the strip turns, the higher the level of chlorine. The test is visible proof of the “invisible” condition of the water.
First John 4:19–21 provides a “test strip” we can dip into our hearts to determine the extent to which they’re filled with love for God. According to John, the true indicator of our love for God is our love for those around us—especially those who really irk us.
Why don’t you pray and ask the Holy Spirit to flood your heart with supernatural love for someone you consider unlovable? You may need to make it a week-long, month-long or even year-long project. And you may need to deal with bitterness and unforgiveness in your own heart. But don’t give up. As you rely on Him, your love for the unlovable people in your life will increase, and the color on that test strip will get stronger and more vibrant.
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“Test Strip for the Heart” (ReviveOurHearts.com/blog)
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations have been taken from the Christian Standard Bible ®. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible ® and CSB ® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
Make it Personal
If you were to use 1 John 4:19–21 to measure your love for others, would the test strip color be pale or vibrant?