1 John 4:7-21
Luis Cruz, GCF Durham
I remember, when my wife and I were still in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship, we have what we call our theme song. A theme song is a love song that speaks of your undying love for each other. The song goes, “I guess they understand, how lonely life has been, but life began again, the day you took my hand.” This is the song made popular by Don Mclean, “And I Love You So.”
Have you ever wondered, what true love is and how people learned to love? Where did it come from or from whom love came from? Who taught us, how to love? The bible teaches that true love, unadulterated love, or unconditional love came from God.
1. God is the only source of true (unconditional) love.
“7Dear friends, let us love one another for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love…18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.” 1 Jn. 4:7-8,18
Context: False prophets spreading “fake news” regarding the nature of Jesus.
Causing doubts and fears amongst the early Christians, v.18.
The apostle John wrote to test the spirit of these “prophets” and reveal their attitude towards Jesus.
John reassures the church, if they know God, they have His love that assures the fulfillment of His eternal promise.
Challenges the professing Christians to examine their faith. vv.20-21
“Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”
Hate, unforgiveness, resentment and pride are the opposite of love.
Do I need to be more loving in my attitude?
2. Getting to know familial love.
“7 Dear friends, let us love one another…” 1 Jn. 4:7
Believers have become one big spiritual family.
An intimate deep friendship and emotional bond within the believers.
So deep, that his or her concern becomes our concern, his or her pain, becomes our pain, too.
A kind of love that centers on the need of others.
It respects, cares, forgives; It is generous and compassionate.
“What does my brother or sister need that I can give?”
3. We must realize that God’s love for us is incomparable and immeasurable.
“9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” vv. 9-10
God was the first to love us.
True love acts.
God showed His incomparable love by sending Jesus to us.
Jesus: Not an ordinary Person. He is the unique Son of God.
No one loves like God, He loves you unconditionally.
His unconditional love was shown in Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection which cannot be matched.
His love prompts us to believe in Jesus.
No one can measure up with Jesus. See Col. 1:15-17
Jesus is the exact representation of the invisible God.
In him all things were created…
All things have been created through him and for him.
Indeed, God’s love is the greatest of all.
When God says something, and it is meant for you, He does it 100%. His timing is always perfect.
Would you fully devote yourself to God and rely on His promises? Yes __ No __ Not now ___
Something to think about starting today.
If you can love a person who breaks your heart sometimes, wouldn’t it be even better to fully give yourself to Jesus, whose love is perfect, beyond comparison and immeasurable?
How can you best express your love for God this week?
How can people sense that you have God in your life?