"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE LOVE OF GOD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE LOVE OF GOD"

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 “In 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.”

1st John 4:10 “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

1st John 4:11 “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

Taken from today's reading in "The One Year Bible”.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

John was writing in part to warn his readers and keep them safe against false teaching that was prevalent then, and is today as well. One of the main things you gain from reading through this letter is a list of those characteristics that are found in the life of a true christian. Love is the main characteristic. Let's enjoy what God teaches us through these few wonderful verses about how to live the christian life.

1. We are called to love one another because love is God.

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.”

John makes it clear that this is the call we have from God.
The reason for this call to love, is that God is love.
Love (Agape Love, the kind that is sacrificial, is of God).
And everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God

So you can see how love is very important in defining what a Christian is.
It's the hallmark of the true Christian.

2. All who love are born of God and know God.

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.”

If a person loves the Bible, that says two things about them.
They are born of God.
And they know God.
Isn't that wonderfully simple and encouraging to read?
This is one of the main ways we can know if we know the Lord or not.

3. The person who does not love God, does not know God, for God is love.

1st John 4:8 “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”

On the other hand.
If a person does not love, they do not know God.
The reason put forth is "For God is love”.

As His children we have and take on His characteristics
God is love.
His children act like him.
The person who does not act like Him does not know God.

4. God's love was shown to us by His sending Jesus to die for our sins, so that we could live through Him.

1st John 4:9 “In 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.”

God's love is not sentimental.
God's love is sacrificial.
God demonstrated His love for us by sending Jesus into the world to die on the cross for our sins.
As a result of believing in Jesus, we now live.
God has given us eternal life.

5. Since God has loved us this way, we ought also to love one another.

1st John 4:11 “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

Wrapping up this thought now.
If God has so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
God has set the example for us.
God has come to live inside of us.
God produces this fruit of love in us.
We ought to love one another.

Some Questions:

1. Do you ever wonder if you are truly saved?

2. If you do, I'd encourage you for read through these 5 chapters, they will help you find your answer.

3. Do you see the love of God in your life?

4. Can you say with certainty, I know I'm saved?

5. If you can, will you pause for just a moment to give Him thanks?

A Prayer:

Father in heaven, where we will one day be, we want to say “we love You”. And to say “thank You for sending Jesus to save us from our sins and give us life with You”. No one else has, or could, do this for us. But You have done it. And forever and ever we will rejoice with You in glory.
Thank You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia