God So Loved

1) Love’s Divine Source (4:7-8)

John calls upon believers to love other believers based upon the love of God.

The source of love is God - “God is Love”

This should not be read “love is God.” Man often will take this verse and reverse the order in his thinking, elevating love above God. The problem is that puts man’s view of love over God.

God is the totality of ALL his attributes.

John has already said that God is: light (1:5), righteous (2:29), Spirit (John 4:24)

The head of the Jordan River is Mount Hermon. One may ask does the water flow from the pristine snows on the peak or the springs deep inside. The answer is both. So the total nature of God is the source of all love, and goodness, and grace, and righteousness.

God’s love is perfect and complete and part of his essence.

Love is defined by God union within himself.

“The Father loves the Son and given all things into his hand (John 3:35)

“The Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing (John 5:20)

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you, continue in…” (John 5:13)

We know God’s love by his actions.

2) Love’s Sacrifice (4:9-10)

God’s love is not just in theory, but in expression. Agape means sacrificial, selfless love. It has as its concern the good of the person loved.

God showed his love by sending his Son.

God’s kind of love is active. We did not love Him, yet He loved us and came.

“For God so loved the world he gave…”

God showed his love by sacrifice.

God did not “break the law because of his love”, he fulfilled the law through love.

To break it would have been to act against his own nature.

The law reveals the holy perfection of God. Jesus kept the law perfectly, and became our propitiation. He bore the penalty for our sin and removed it.

God’s love is most greatly displayed through Jesus keeping the law and granting us mercy upon the cross.

God showed his love by his saving power.

“that we might live through him…”

3) Love Shared (4:11)

“God so loved…” His manner of love was sending, sacrificial and saving.

We ought to love one another in the same manner.

God’s children should love by seeking to bring others into fellowship with Christ.

God’s children show love by their service.

Gal. 5:13 – “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

God’s children are willing sacrifice for the good of another brother or sister.

Love does not keep a record, but rather finds joy in giving to another.