John acknowledges that some relationships will be difficult, but he also reminds us of where love comes from.

“We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers” (3:14). We don’t choose our brothers and sisters. They are given to us. And this is also true of the church. It’s easy to love a group of friends you have chosen. But the church is not a cosy group of self-selected friends. Your sisters and brothers in Christ are given to you by God, and some of them will be hard to love.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God” (4:7). The source of love is outside of ourselves. This is good news. God calls you to love your sister or brother, and He is the source of the love He calls you to give. Stop telling yourself that you can’t love someone. God is love. And if His love reaches you, you will have all the love you need.

How do you know what love is if you have not been loved well? John says, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us” (3:16). Stop telling yourself that you don’t know what love is. God the Father sent His Son into the world for you. God the Son laid down His life for you. God the Spirit has come to indwell you.

God’s love for you will never end. He has loved you with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3).

How could understanding that God is the source of love help you to love your brothers and sisters in Christ, even when they are hard to love?