This is an adaptation of C. H. Spurgeon’s devotional thoughts on 1 John 4:19.
Loves parent is the love of God shed abroad in the heart (Rom 5:5). After its divine birth, it must also be divinely cultivated. Love is an exotic plant. It will not flourish naturally in human soil because it is planted, watered, and nourished from above.
Love to Jesus is a rose of a delicate nature and withering is the natural outcome if the only food it receives is what is drawn from the rock of our hearts. Love comes from heaven and must feed on heavenly bread. It cannot exist in the brambles of the heart unless it is fed by manna from on high. Love must feed on love.
The very soul and life of our love to God is His love to us.
1 John 4:19 – “We love because he first loved us.”
Tim Holman, Writer 