• Ten Things To Know About The Love Of God - Devotional

  Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jul 12, 2023 (message contributor)

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  Scripture:  1 John 4:7-21, 1 Corinthians 13, Romans 5:8, John 3:16

  Tags:  Evangelism, Love, Christ, Holy Spirit, Missions, Cross, Agape, God's Love, Hate, Unforgiveness, False Prophets, Unbelievers  (view more)  (view less)

  Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

There are 10 key points about the Love of God in I John 4:7-21:

1. LOVE IS OF GOD (4:7) - not that God is love only. He is not limited or bound by anything.

So, what is love? Study I Corinthians 13...... There are 3 Greek words (agape, phileo, eros). This love is agape, unconditional, Cross-like love. Do you have that?

2. IF YOU KNOW GOD, YOU LOVE OTHERS (4:8)

• So many claiming Christ and full hate today.

• Professors vs Possessors --- which one are you?

• Understand love – it is not agreement, but placing unconditional value upon another.

3. LOVE IS MORE THAN EMOTION (4:9) – God's love was "manfiest". It waslove is action, like the Good Samaritan.

4. GOD SHOWED HIS LOVE FOR US AT THE CROSS (4:9-10) – John 3:16 (if you think there is

no God or if you think God doesn't love you......look at the Cross!).

5. GOD LOVED US WHEN WE WERE HIS ENEMY – Romans 5:8 (If you only love those who love you, then you

are just like the Pharisees and you have no place in the Kingdom of God).

6. CHRIST IS THE OFFERING THAT SATISFIED A HOLY GOD (4:10b - "propitiation")

* Study the Tabernacle and see a portrait of Christ

* Christ is our Propitiation (I John 2:1-2).

* The blood on the mercy seat (hilastamos) is what Christ has done for us.

* The blood of Jesus is the only thing that will satisfy a holy God because His blood is perfect.

7. BECAUSE GOD LOVED US LIKE THAT, WE SHOULD DO THE SAME FOR OTHERS (4:11). They don't deserve it,

they are ungodly and sinful. Yeah - kind of like you and me before we met Jesus). One of the best things that love can do is to forgive those who have hurt them (Ephesians 4:30-32).

8. THE HOLY SPIRIT PRODUCES AGAPE LOVE IN US, WE ARE NOT CAPABLE IN OUR FLESH (4:13). We will never win the world to Christ by our might or power, but by His Spirit (Zechariah 4:1 - name another verse you know in the Book of Zechariah!!). We have to walk in the filling of the Holy Spirit on a daily basis to have this kind of love described by John in chapter 4 (Ephesians 5:18).

9. IF YOU ARE FILLED WITH HATE AND CLAIM TO BE SAVED, YOU ARE A LIAR (4:20 - that's what God says!).

The world desperately needs to see the love of Jesus. They have seen our programs, buildings, and events and they are unimpressed and unsaved.

10. WE PROVE OUR FAITH BY OUR OBEDIENCE TO CHRIST (4:21).

What was the greatest command? ("To love the Lord our God wih all of heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbor as we love ourself" (Mark 12:30-31).

Question: Where are you going to need love this week in dealing with someone who is away from Christ in your family, marriage, friendships, or work? Surrender the throne of your life to the Lordship of Christ and ask Him to give you a fresh new filling of the Holy Spirit and the unconditional love of God for those around you.

- Dr. Larry Petton