Character Witness: The Perfect Love of God

Introduction

The teaching today is on the love of God. It entails what God did to demonstrate His love, His specific action, and why it is important for us to demonstrate the love of God to one another. We will look at it through the lens of the commandment and the truth: “love one another; for love is from God. . .” In this we will see God is the source, definition, and demonstration of love.

1 John 4:7–21 ESV

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. 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.

Origin of Love

1 John 4:7–8 ESV

7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

We are commanded to love and that command is grounded in the truth that love is from God.

The truth that love is from God means love originates in God, Himself

The one who loves is born of God and knows Him. The one who does not love does not know God

God is love describes the unchanging character of God.

Love is not an option for the believer

John establishes God as the originator and progenitor of love. Unfortunately, humanity makes attempts to define what love truly is only to fail miserable. God defines love because He is.

Love Revealed

1 John 4:9–10 ESV

9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

God sending Jesus (His only Son) into this world is the revelation of His love

The purpose is so people have the opportunity to live through Him

The revealing is through the sending; the specific action that leads to life through Christ is Jesus’ atonement for sins

We did not initiate the action nor were we worthy of receiving it.

Jesus’ sacrifice is a demonstration of justice that leads to a everlasting relationship for those who believe in Him. Thus why we live through Him.

God’s love is not abstract (idea). His love is incarnational in the revelation of Jesus Christ, our LORD, the Son of God. We did not deserve it but God demonstrated His mercy in this. As you can see, love is not merely a feeling. It is a self-giving action that benefits others.

Obligation to Love

1 John 4:11–12 ESV

11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

John statement in verse 11 is a conditional statement that reader must consider.

On the condition God has so loved us, shouldn’t you love one another?

John establishes that no one has seen God; however it is implied that we reveal the character of God by loving one another

Loving one another demonstrates God abides in us and His love is perfected in us

What is the love perfected in us? The perfect love of God is what we discussed in the verses 9-10. That we live through the Son.

Therefore, we are obligated to love one another as God has demonstrated love towards us.

Assurance in Knowing

1 John 4:13–16 ESV

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.

We are confident about our relationship with God because of His Spirit

“Seen and testify”. . . John actually seen Jesus and therefore can testify of the things He witnessed. However, what about us? Remember, love demonstrated towards one another is a means by which people have seen God and therefore can bear witness Jesus is in fact the Savior of the world.

The confession that Jesus is the Son of God goes deeper that words. It is an outward expression of an inward conviction and confidence that He is LORD, KING, Savior, and God in the flesh.

John restates the assurance of God’s love and the fruits of that love as it binds our relationship with God.

Perfect Love

1 John 4:17–18 ESV

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.

Love being perfected in an individual infers one is living through Jesus. In other words they are saved.

Therefore, person perfected in love has confidence in the day of judgment.

“As He is so also are we in the world” reflects back on the abiding in love between us and God. As He is love, we are demonstrating love as well in this world.

Thus, there is no fear in love because perfect love (action demonstrated that brings about faith in Jesus leading to salvation) casts out fear.

Fear in this context is related to punishment. What type? Eternal punishment

And whoever fears punishment has not been perfected in love (they are not saved)

Fear is a natural response for every human being. We are not commanded to never fear. Instead, we are told to have confidence (trust) in God in the midst of fear. The fear John talks about here is punishment related to God’s wrath. Those whose God’s love is perfected in do not fear punishment because we are assured of salvation.

The Command to Love

1 John 4:19–21 ESV

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.

We love because God loved us first.

The love we demonstrate cannot be contrary to God’s love

The one who says but does otherwise hates his brother or sister is a liar. Remember, when God’s love is demonstrated to others, God is seen. When one does not but says he loves God, it is a indication he/she never has.

Therefore it is imperative for those who love God to love one another

Conclusion

God is the origin of love, defines love, and demonstration of love

His love is revealed through the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

Because of His perfect love we live through Jesus

We are not afraid of punishment, but remain confident because of His perfect love

Love one another