Advent is Love in Action

Advent reminds us that believers are commanded to love one another (1 John 4:7-8)

Explanation: The Apostle John gives a powerful lesson that deals with the Love of God and of believers’ corresponding responsibility to love others. John’s audience in those who are In Christ (believers) as his reference is to those who are “beloved.’ John is talking to members of the family and he is reminding them of their responsibility to love each other.

John has just dealt with the actions and thought processes of those who have the spirit of antichrist (1 John 4:1-6). He shares how these unbelievers are influenced by the spirit of the age and how they love the things of the world.

Not so for those who follow Christ! John declares a cardinal truth of Christianity when he declares that we who name the Name of Jesus are to love one another. This is more than a suggestion or an ideal; it is a command and it is to reflect the Christian community as a whole.

Argument: Note that love is set forth as an action, not a feeling. The word in this text is Agape and it means an unconditional love that is other-centered. We are called to express this love to others!

This command to love others is not a burden (cf 1 John 5:3). We love others as a result of knowing God. It is not about knowing things about God, but about being in relationship with Him through faith. Those who are born of God can and do love others. It is part and parcel of the new nature we receive as Christians (2 Corinthians 5:17), and love is an integral aspect of that new nature (cf Galatians 5:22)

Illustrate: By definition, a Triangle has 3 sides. If one of the sides is missing, a triangle no longer exists. John declares that loving others, knowing God, and being born of God go together.

Advent is the basis for being able to love others in a way that pleases God (1 John 4:9-10)

Explanation: The apostle continues with his discussion of love by going to the source of love. He relates how the first Advent of Jesus was the ultimate demonstration of His love. John declares that the sending of the only Begotten of the Father was an act of love (cf John 3:16), and reminds us that God is the One who initiated the relationship of love (v. 10). And, this is very important, he relates the depth of that love by sharing Jesus’ role as the Propitiation for the sin debt.

Propitiation is not a word we use in every day language, but we are called to be familiar with its meaning. The word means to atone for or to cover, to pay the penalty, to avert the rightful punishment. In short, it means that the death of Jesus satisfied the wrath of a Holy God in His settled anger against sin. Being perfect and without sin, Jesus had no sin debt of His own, but He served as a substitute on the Cross. This is the ultimate expression of love. The apostle Paul informs us that God didn’t wait for us to come to Him before He loved us either. Jesus came for sinners in open rebellion (Romans 5:8)

Argument: We focus on the birth of Christ at Christmas and the miracle of His virgin birth in accordance with all the prophecies. We talk about the messenger angels, the Mary and Joseph account, the trip to Bethlehem, the Christmas star and the visit by the Magi. All these things are true and need to be shared.

However, in its fullest meaning, the first Advent covers ALL of Jesus’ time during the Incarnation. Advent covers His perfect life, His rejection by many, and His substitutionary death and corresponding Resurrection. It is important for us to know that the fullest sense of the Love of God is expressed at the Cross, not the manger.

The Love we show others is an indicator of the reality of God to lost people (1 John 4:11-12)

Explanation: Immediately after discussing the depths of God’s love for us, the Apostle gives a charge to the Church: If God loved us like that, then we should love others. Then he makes a statement that at first glance doesn’t seem like it belongs. He states that no one has ever seen God. What’s up with this? Where did that come from?

It actually makes perfect sense in the context. The apostle is connecting the love we show others to a way for lost people to see God. In His holiness God is too pure for sinful man to behold. But, when the world sees His people loving the unlovable, In His Name, it makes a profound impact. God uses the lives of His people as a witness to the world.

John heard Jesus say this same thing - “By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).

Application: Why is this so important at Christmas? Or to ask the question another way, Is it even more important to love others all year round instead of just at Christmas?

The message presented in a lot of Christmas movies is that people are actually more kind and considerate at this time of year. The idea is that the “magic of Christmas” has power and influence over people to make them nicer. That message is sentimental goo - the date of December 25 does not possess mystical significance in and of itself. It is faith in Jesus’ act of propitiation that transforms sinners into saints, and that transformation plays out in the ability believers have to love others unconditionally.