LOVE PERFECTED
1 John 4:13-21, ESV
Part 16 of the sermon series on the Letters of John.
The author explained that God is love. The Father manifested His love by sending His Son, who became the propitiation for our sins. God is the very reason why we should love one another. John would continue to emphasize that if believers truly love God, they would love one another. If believers do not love the community of faith, they are not true believers in Christ.
Holy Spirit
Those who know God keep His commands, love the community of faith, do not hate, do not love the world, love God, do not believe in false teachings, and they have the Holy Spirit. Moreover, they confess that Jesus is the Son of God, which the false teachers did not do.
1 John 4:13-15: By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
John testified that Jesus is the Son of God, sent by God, and He is the Savior of the world. The community of faith believes in that testimony and proclaims that testimony. Jesus, the Son of God, is the Savior. Note that the text mentions the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Triune God is continually at work in the believer.
No Fear of Judgment
John stated that they have come to know and believe God’s love for them. Since God is love, all who love the community remain in God and God in him. Remaining in His love and loving others gives assurance for the day of judgment. That assurance removes all fear of judgment.
1 John 4:16-18: So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
Genuine believers do not fear judgment because they have passed from judgment to life (John 3:18). By believing in Him, people are no longer condemned. But those who believe in Him love one another as He commanded. Moreover, love is perfected if believers continue to practice love.
Love and No Hate
The believers’ capacity to love does not come from themselves. It comes from God’s love. The apostle explained why a genuine believer cannot hate his brother. Whoever claims to love God must love brothers in Christ.
1 John 4:19-21: We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
John’s made his reasons clear. How can anyone say they love God whom he has not seen, yet hate a brother whom they have seen? The genuine believer cannot and must not hate God’s people.
Application
1. Let us make known to the world our confession that the Father sent Jesus Christ, the Messiah. We believe what John testified and we pass on that testimony to as many as we can.
2. In Christ, we do not fear punishment or judgment. Our confidence is rooted in God’s love, believing the gospel, the Holy Spirit, and our love for God’s people. There is no more fear.
3. If we truly know God’s love for us, we should love fellow believers. Harboring bitterness or hatred contradicts God’s love for us. Therefore, we must actively serve and help one another.
Poem
THEREFORE WE LOVE by Ed Pilapil Jr How do we abide in His love The love that came from high above Through the Spirit and confession Christ saves: that is our profession Therefore, we have no fear in Him Jesus Christ saved us from our sin Through His love, there is no more fear Punishment was removed, that’s clear Proclaim the gospel loud and clear Tell people that God, they should fear Remember, hatred is a sin The love we have; it comes from Him The gospel is our profession Through the Spirit and confession His love made us born from above He loved us first; therefore, we love
Study Guide
1. How do we know that we abide in Him? (1 John 4:13-15)
2. God’s love is revealed in sending His Son, who is the propitiation for our sins. Explain. (1 John 4:16-18)
3. Why is loving others essential to truly loving God? Explain through the text. (1 John 4:19-21).
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