Love your Brother

1 John 4:13–21

13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. 

1 John 4:13 “13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.”

How do we know he has given us His Spirit?

1 John 4:14 “14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.”

Do we know we have his spirit if we testify that Jesus is God and the Savior of the World?

1 John 4:15 “15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.”

If we confess that Jesus is the Son of God than God abides in us and has given us his spirit.

Believing that Jesus is God must also mean submitting to His Lordship.

James 2:19 “19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!”

Application question: Have I submitted to the Lordship of Jesus? In what ways his I still resisting His will in my life?

What does it mean to abide? μένω (menō). vb. remain, stay (i.e., lodge) with. Among its wide breadth of uses, menō can refer to dwelling, living, or lodging.

Life lesson/Promise: God will make his home in my heart and I will make my home in heaven through believing and trusting in Jesus.

application question: What causes me to doubt my salvation? How do these verses answer that doubt?

1 John 4:16 “16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”

God is the epitome of the self-sacrfical commitment to secure the highest good of another without expecting anything in return.

Application question: If I believe that God is the epitome of the self-sacrfical commitment to secure the highest good of another without expecting anything in return. How would that change the way I live?

I would trust God

I would obey God

I would run to God when I’ve sinned

I’d listen when I don’t understand

I wouldn’t feel shame

How does remaining in love help me remain in God’s love?

The more you love the more you understand the love God has for you.

Our love is a faint representation of God’s love for us. When we love someone sacrificially. When we forgive someone. We can think. I can’t believe that I’m only scratching the surface of the way God loves me.

1 John 4:17 “17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.”

What does it mean that love is perfected?

Love has accomplished it’s goal.

We get to have confidence! We don’t have to be afraid!

I’ve asked people recently. “If GOd asked you why should I let you into heaven…..” That’s a hard question pastor….

1 John 4:18 “18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.”

If you’re still afraid than God’s love still has work to do.

We don’t have to fear confessing our sin to God like we do with out parents…

We still may get consequences but those consequences would be for our good and we don’t have to fear them.

1 John 4:19 “19 We love because he first loved us.”

He loved us first. He loved us most. He will keep loving us forever.

1 John 4:20–21 (ESV)

20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Application question: Do I love my brother or sister? Am I willing to love them in surprising and unexpected ways like God loves me?

Main Point: God’s love in us gives assurance of salvation and is proved by our love for others.