I John 4:7-21
This is a continuation of a theme
The theme is not love but walking in the light as He is in the light
This theme is begun in ch. 1
ch. 1:5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from alla sin.
It is continued and made clearer in chapter 2
3 We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4 The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, God’s lovec is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
The command is to love one another
The question is how?
I. The Reality of God’s Love
John says God is Love, not love is God
He is the very essence of love
Love oozes out of Him
a. Expressed in the Son
He has shown us his love
Love is manifested in Jesus Christ
John says this is love, the evidence of love, love supreme
b. Experienced through Faith
He says that no one has seen God but by faith we receive that love
Pandy (John Ortberg)
II. The Power of God’s love
The love of God in Christ is our motive to love one another
This love is the direct result of the Holy Spirit taking up residence
Gal 5:22
Love is a part of the fruit of the Spirit
That is love is produced by the Holy Spirit in a yielded life
Not Just any kind of love it is the same love that we see in action on the cross
Real love forgives
Heals divisions
Removes alienation
Promotes friendships
Covers and protects
Whoever loves is of God
Whoever does not love does not know God
III. The Purpose of God’s love
It is so that we might know God
That we might extend to others the love we received
We love because He first loved us
