See 1st John 4:7-9
We have once again, the word beloved, used to describe John's readers. They were in fact, loved by him, but more importantly, loved by God.
The message here is simple, and it's of central importance. It's God's call in our lives to "love one another" Actually, what he says, is "let us etc, "......that means that we as christians, can, and ought to do this We ought to love one another. The reason is, that Love is of God. This love is of Him, it's from Him, it's who He is. Secondly, we are told that everyone who loves ( this way ) is of God, and knows God.
So, these two things are true then, of everyone who loves. They have been born again, of Him as John says, and they know God. That is, they perceive Him, they understand Him, the have an intimate knowledge of God.
On the other hand, the person who does not love does not know God, and then John repeats what he had said earlier, and that is, that God is love. So, if a person knows God, who is love, then they would be those who love others is the idea.
If someone says they know God, but they do not love others, then they are not telling the truth about themselves. They may think they know the Lord, but their lack of loving others is proof positive that they do not know God. Regardless of what one may think or say about themselves. The truth of God's Word is above our own thinking.
There are people even today, as there always have been who are physically in the church, you can see them talk to them, sit by them, listen to the Word of God right there with them, sing worship songs with them, serve in ministry with, but, they do not know the Lord.
It's very important that we are not deceived about this matter. If someone says they know God, but they do not have His love for others, they are not telling the truth. They are deceived, and John does not want you to wind up being deceived either.
Love does not hate, it does not wish the worst for others, it does not desire their destruction, etc, etc. This is as plain as anything can be. Yet somehow it can be missed. John was trying to bring it front and center.
Now, John describes this love. It was manifested towards us by God, in that He sent His only begotten son into the world that we might live through Him.
What does only begotten mean? It means, there is no one else like Him. He is unique. He is in a class of His own. There is the Father, the Holy Spirit, and there is the Son. And, the Father sent the Son. What a sacrifice the Father made, and what a servant the Son was and is. God gave up His Son, and His Son agreed to give His life for us on the cross. The result is, that by receiving Christ, we then have eternal life. He gave His life, that we might gain eternal life.
Pastor Bob Grenier.
Calvary Chapel Visalia
On the other hand, the person who does not love does not know God, and then John repeats what he had said earlier, and that is, that God is love. So, if a person knows God, who is love, then they would be those who love others is the idea.
If someone says they know God, but they do not love others, then they are not telling the truth about themselves. They may think they know the Lord, but their lack of loving others is proof positive that they do not know God. Regardless of what one may think or say about themselves. The truth of God's Word is above our own thinking.
There are people even today, as there always have been who are physically in the church, you can see them talk to them, sit by them, listen to the Word of God right there with them, sing worship songs with them, serve in ministry with, but, they do not know the Lord.
It's very important that we are not deceived about this matter. If someone says they know God, but they do not have His love for others, they are not telling the truth. They are deceived, and John does not want you to wind up being deceived either.
Love does not hate, it does not wish the worst for others, it does not desire their destruction, etc, etc. This is as plain as anything can be. Yet somehow it can be missed. John was trying to bring it front and center.
Now, John describes this love. It was manifested towards us by God, in that He sent His only begotten son into the world that we might live through Him.
What does only begotten mean? It means, there is no one else like Him. He is unique. He is in a class of His own. There is the Father, the Holy Spirit, and there is the Son. And, the Father sent the Son. What a sacrifice the Father made, and what a servant the Son was and is. God gave up His Son, and His Son agreed to give His life for us on the cross. The result is, that by receiving Christ, we then have eternal life. He gave His life, that we might gain eternal life.
Pastor Bob Grenier.
Calvary Chapel Visalia
1st John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
1st John 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1st John 4:9 n this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
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