From a sermon written by Robert Murray M’Cheyne on 1 John 4:18-19
There is no fear in love ; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us.
“We love him because he first loved us”
When a poor sinner cleaves to Jesus, and finds the forgiving love of God, he cannot but love God back again. When the prodigal returned home and felt his Father’s arms around his neck, then did he feel the gushings of affection toward his father.
Some of you are longing to be able to love God. Come into his love then. Consent to be loved by him, though worthless in yourself. It is better to be loved by him than to love, and it is the only way to learn to love him. When the light of the sun falls upon the moon, it finds the moon dark and unlovely, but the moon reflects the light, and casts it back again. So let the love of God shine into your breast, and you will cast it back again. The love of Christ constraineth us. “We love him because he first loved us.” The only cure for a cold heart is to look at the heart of Jesus.