What is the definition of 1 John 4:10?

Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.

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Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this incredibly important verse from 1 John 4:10. It’s a really profound statement about the nature of love in Christianity. Here's a simplified explanation:
The Basic Idea:
This verse essentially says that
love isn’t something we 💎deserve💎 or 💎earn💎. It’s a gift from God.
It’s about a radical and incredible act of compassion and mercy.
Let's unpack it piece by piece:
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"Herein is love..."
– This means “here” refers to this specific verse. The verse is about the 💎presence💎 of love. 💎
"...not that we loved God..."
– This is the crucial part. It’s important to understand that John isn't saying we 💎used to💎 love God. We weren’t always a loving people. He’s highlighting a 💎new💎 kind of love – one that comes from God. 💎
"...but that he loved us..."
– This is the core message. God, in his immense care and goodness, chose to 💎love💎 us, even though we didn't deserve it. 💎
"...and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins."
– This is where it gets really significant. “Propitiation” is a fancy word that means "atonement." God sent His Son (Jesus) to 💎atone💎 for our sins.
What does this mean in practice?
💎
Sins are offenses against God.
We all make mistakes, we hurt others, and we do things that violate God’s will. 💎
The Son's Sacrifice:
Jesus Christ died on the cross as a sacrifice for us. This sacrifice 💎removes💎 our guilt and shame for our sins. It’s like an apology offered to God for all our transgressions.
In short, this verse emphasizes that God’s love is so powerful that He sends His Son to take away what we've done wrong.
It’s a message of forgiveness, redemption, and hope – knowing that God’s love ultimately wins over even our deepest mistakes.
Think of it like this:
Imagine someone offers you a gift (the Son’s sacrifice). You didn't 💎deserve💎 that gift, but because of their kindness, they give it to you. That’s the essence of what this verse is saying: God offers us forgiveness and a way out of our problems through His Son. ---
Do you want me to:
💎 Explain any part in more detail? 💎 Connect this verse to another Bible passage? 💎 Give a quick example of how this principle applies in everyday life?