The First Move Is Yours
“We love him, because he first loved us.”1 John 4:19 (KJV)
After a fight at home, there is often a standoff. Each person waits for the other to come and say sorry first. Hours pass. Sometimes days. Pride is very patient.
Jesus doesn’t let us wait it out. “Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother.” He tells the one who remembers to go first.
That takes courage, because there is no guarantee. You might apologise and get a cold response. You might love first and not be loved back right away. We don’t go first because it always works. We go first because that is what we were shown. “We love him, because he first loved us.”
God made the first move toward us while we were still far off. If there is a standoff in your home this week, be the one who walks across the room.
Read it yourself
Read Romans 12:17–21. What does Paul say to do when someone treats you badly?
Is there someone you are waiting on to make the first move? What would it look like to go first?
Lord, you loved me first. Give me the courage to go first in love and in apology, whatever the response. Amen.