The Grands Letter (1 John/GLJ)
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D. on January 5, 2026 5:02 am (CST)Dear Grands,
1 John 4:7-11, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
There are 348 English words listed as “love” in the New American Standard Bible. Not all of these words, however, mean the same thing. The Old Testament is written in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek. Still, not every instance in either language always translates “love” with the same meaning.
Words that “look” the same often vary in meaning. We may “love” apple pie, as well as we love the beautiful distant mountains. We may “love” the Word of God, but not how it says that we are to “love one another.” We may truly “love” a member of our own family, while not showing that “love” in a clear, practical way.
It hurts when we love someone and they don’t show the same love toward us. True Christians take note of such things and endeavor to show genuine love toward others. Can you think and discover how you might show love to someone that you’ve neglected? A phone call, a text message, even a short, personal visit. It will make their world!
Heartily in Christ,
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
United States of America
“We will never know that Christ is all we need, Until He becomes all that we have.” –Corrie ten Boom
