In 1 John 4:8-11, we find a description of God’s love for us. “God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
1. God’s character is defined by His LOVE
In 1 John 4:7-8, John tells us that we should love one another because love is from God and that those who know God will love one another. John goes on to say that those who don’t love really don’t know God. At the end of verse 8 we are given the reason. We are told in 1 John 4:8 (ESV), “Because God is love.”
When John tells us that God is love, He isn’t saying that God merely projects a friendly attitude toward us. He is saying that love is the essence of who God is.
2. God’s love is displayed in His SON
1 John 4:9 (ESV) – “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.”
2. God’s love is displayed in His SON
1 John 4:9 (ESV) – “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.”
Think about what John says here in this one verse.
(1) God “sent” – the word describes one who is sent on a mission, as a representative of another. The perfect tense emphasizes the permanent consequences of this act.
(2) The purpose: is that “we might live through him.” The verb “live” implies that those to whom the Son was sent were in a condition of spiritual death, and His mission was to impart life to them.
(3) This life only occurs through Christ. There aren't many ways to experience life, or even a couple of ways. There is only one way to truly experience life and that is through Jesus (John 14:6).
3. God’s love is demonstrated in the ATONEMENT
1 John 4:10 (ESV) – “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
True love is not about words, but actions. God not only displayed His love for us by sending His only Son so that we might live through Him. He demonstrated His love for us by sending His Son to die for our sins.
Hundreds of years before Jesus came to earth, the prophet Isaiah foresaw Jesus atoning sacrifice for us.
Isaiah 53:4–6 (ESV) – “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”The origin of love lies beyond human effort and initiative. Left to ourselves we would not love Him, we would not seek Him. We would hate Him and oppose Him.
It was Him reaching out to us in sacrificial love that broke our hearts of stone and drew us to Himself.
4. Our response to God’s love is to LOVE ONE ANOTHER
1 John 4:11 (ESV) – “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
Once we truly understand the great price that has been paid for our sin and the depth of God’s love for us, we are driven to love one another.
It is important for us not to miss this truth. Although John is speaking primarily to the love that we are to show within the Christian fellowship, his point goes far beyond the church and extends out into the world. We are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves (Luke 10:25-37).
So how do we apply these truths during the Christmas season?
1) Have you personally experienced the love of God in your life?
2) What are some ways that we can love others within the fellowship of believers?
(1) God “sent” – the word describes one who is sent on a mission, as a representative of another. The perfect tense emphasizes the permanent consequences of this act.
(2) The purpose: is that “we might live through him.” The verb “live” implies that those to whom the Son was sent were in a condition of spiritual death, and His mission was to impart life to them.
(3) This life only occurs through Christ. There aren't many ways to experience life, or even a couple of ways. There is only one way to truly experience life and that is through Jesus (John 14:6).
3. God’s love is demonstrated in the ATONEMENT
1 John 4:10 (ESV) – “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
True love is not about words, but actions. God not only displayed His love for us by sending His only Son so that we might live through Him. He demonstrated His love for us by sending His Son to die for our sins.
Hundreds of years before Jesus came to earth, the prophet Isaiah foresaw Jesus atoning sacrifice for us.
Isaiah 53:4–6 (ESV) – “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”The origin of love lies beyond human effort and initiative. Left to ourselves we would not love Him, we would not seek Him. We would hate Him and oppose Him.
It was Him reaching out to us in sacrificial love that broke our hearts of stone and drew us to Himself.
4. Our response to God’s love is to LOVE ONE ANOTHER
1 John 4:11 (ESV) – “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
Once we truly understand the great price that has been paid for our sin and the depth of God’s love for us, we are driven to love one another.
It is important for us not to miss this truth. Although John is speaking primarily to the love that we are to show within the Christian fellowship, his point goes far beyond the church and extends out into the world. We are to love our neighbor as we love ourselves (Luke 10:25-37).
So how do we apply these truths during the Christmas season?
1) Have you personally experienced the love of God in your life?
2) What are some ways that we can love others within the fellowship of believers?
- Be forgiving. The Bible tells us in 1 Peter 4:8 (ESV) – “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”
- Be patient with one another
- Pray for one another
- Bear one another’s burdens
- Smile and wish others a Merry Christmas
- Be patient with store clerks
- Pray for opportunities to share the love of Christ with others
- Be a courteous and good tipper at restaurants. It’s a sad statement that Christians have a horrible reputation with most servers in restaurants.
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