Universal Utterings

for January 7, 2026

A Godcast

UniversalUtterings.Com

01-07-2026 1 John 4 v1321 We Love Because He First Loved Us

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The 1st Letter of John Chapter 4 Verse 13 thru 21

13 This is how we know that we remain in him and he in us, that he has given us of his Spirit. 14 Moreover, we have seen and testify that the Father sent his Son as savior of the world. 15 Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God. 16 We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him. 17 In this is love brought to perfection among us, that we have confidence on the day of judgment because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 This is the commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

In 1 John 4:13-21, we are reminded of the profound connection between love and faith. This passage reveals that God has given us His Spirit, allowing us to know Him and to dwell in His love. Central to this message is the theme of love as a potent antidote to fear. John emphasizes that “perfect love casts out fear,” underscoring the transformative power of love in our lives.

God commands us to love—not just Him, but also one another. This dual commandment is foundational to our faith and serves as a guiding principle for our interactions. When we actively cultivate love in our hearts, seeking to reflect God’s love towards others, we fulfill the essence of His law. It is through acts of kindness, compassion, and understanding that we embody the love we receive from God. This love serves as a protective barrier against fear, allowing us to approach life with confidence, knowing that we are enveloped in divine love.

Moreover, John asserts that loving others is evidence of our love for God. If we claim to love God but harbor animosity or indifference toward our neighbors, we contradict our professed beliefs. Therefore, the act of loving others becomes a tangible expression of our devotion to God, reinforcing our identity as His children.

In these verses, John encourages us to lose our fear through the love we create. By embracing the love God has poured into our hearts, we are called to manifest that love in our relationships. This fulfillment of love is not merely a suggestion but the most important commandment—a directive to live out our faith in action. In doing so, we not only experience the elimination of fear but also participate in the beautiful cycle of love that binds us to God and one another. Amen.

Join me as we pray our daily prayer of forgiveness. The Lord’s Prayer.

At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.

I am sorry Lord. I believe You died and rose for me. Please forgive me as I forgive others. I share You as my Lord and Savior seeking to live your Will in all things. Prayers for wife Toni and my mother Betty pray for our children especially our two oldest Alexandra & Allen Son in Law Mark Stern; Julian, Gabriel and Jeffrey and our grandchildren Oliver, Julian and Elliott. We pray for those we’ve said we’d pray for and those who’ve asked us to pray for them. We pray for the dying as we do each day Lord give them peace in their last breath. We pray for Holy Mother Church. Our prayers for our niece Brittany. In Jesus Precious Blood by His Name we pray. Amen.

I am a poet obedient to Christ,

Catholic Evangelist Thomas Cruz†Wiggins

†Spirit led God inspired Christ fed†®

Ephesians 6:17-20

01-07-2026 1 John 4 v1321

**We Love Because He First Loved Us**

In the stillness of the heart, we find,

A promise whispered, gentle and kind.

For by His Spirit, we know we abide,

In love eternal, with God as our guide.

We’ve seen His truth, and we testify,

That Jesus, the Son, came down from on high.

In Him, we dwell, and He in us too,

A sacred bond forever made new.

Perfect love casts out all our fear,

In His presence, we’re safe, held near.

He met our burden, our sin, our strife,

Gave us His spirit, the breath of life.

Dear friends, if God so loved us this way,

How can we do less? Let love lead the day.

For love is the mark of those who believe,

In giving and sharing, we learn how to cleave.

When we love one another, His light we ignite,

A reflection of grace in the dark of the night.

No one has seen Him, yet His presence is clear,

In every act of kindness, in every healed tear.

So let us love boldly, with hearts open wide,

For in love's embrace, we’re never denied.

Through each act of mercy, in each gentle tone,

We mirror His heart, we’re never alone.

In the rhythm of love, we find our true call,

To love one another; in love, we stand tall.

For knowing His love is the gift we can share,

Bringing hope to the hopeless, with love in the air. Amen.

© Thomas Joe Cruz†Wiggins

January 7, 2026 @ 04:29 AM EST

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