Pay attention to this stunning progression of truth: “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19 NKJV, emphasis added). How do we know this to be true? Because “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners”—separated enemies of God—“Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8 NIV, emphasis added). Why? Because “we are his workmanship”—his master work—“created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10 ESV).
