Summary of my sermon, based on 1 John 4:13-21. Preached at Greenhills Christian Fellowship Toronto on April 16, 2023.
Today, we delve into a pivotal passage that serves as the intellectual climax of the entire letter. As we have seen, John wrote this letter to address heretical beliefs and introduced three tests: obedience, doctrine, and social conduct. In this section, we encounter a fusion of the doctrinal and social tests, highlighting the profound impact of our beliefs on our actions. Specifically, we will examine how the world’s understanding of love contradicts the biblical teachings, emphasizing the need to refocus our love on God.
Before delving into the main points, let us first acknowledge the importance of recognizing truth and embracing authoritative sources. John appeals to two crucial authorities: the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and his own authority as an eyewitness of Jesus Christ and an apostle. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, guides and empowers us, teaching us all things and reminding us of Jesus’ words (John 14:26). We also embrace the authority of the Bible, the inspired Word of God, which equips us for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). With these unchanging sources, our understanding of love remains steadfast amid cultural shifts.
God’s Love is Love
John’s first point centers on the profound nature of God’s love. To abide in God, we confess Jesus as the Son of God and abide in love, recognizing that love and God are intertwined (1 John 4:15-16). This powerful fusion of the doctrinal and social tests underscores that love is not an abstract concept but a fundamental attribute of God. It is crucial to avoid misinterpretations and misrepresentations of the idea that “God is Love.”
God’s Love is Perfect
John further explores the perfection of God’s love, drawing upon references from Psalm 18:30 and Matthew 5:48. As we recognize that God is perfect, His love reflects this perfection. It stands as the ultimate counter to fear, challenging the world’s understanding of love rooted in punishment. In contemporary culture, we witness the rise of cancel culture, where disagreement is met with hatred and exclusion. However, God’s perfect love offers a different path—one of peace and forgiveness, leaving vengeance to God alone (Romans 12:17-19).
God’s Love is Our Example
Lastly, John reminds us that we love because God first loved us (1 John 4:19-21). Our love for God cannot be divorced from our love for our fellow human beings. In fact, if we claim to love God but harbor hatred towards others, we deceive ourselves. The commandment is clear: to love God is to love our brothers and sisters. Jesus Himself exemplified the highest form of love by laying down His life for His friends (John 15:12-13). Through His sacrifice, God demonstrated His profound love for us, even while we were still sinners (Romans 5:7-8). As recipients of this divine love, we are called to embody compassion, forgiveness, and unity (Colossians 3:12-14).
As we conclude our exploration of this significant passage in 1 John, we recognize that love holds a central place in our lives as believers. Understanding the true essence of love requires us to confront misconceptions prevalent in our society. By redirecting our focus towards God, we realign our beliefs and actions with His transformative love. Let us embrace God’s perfect love, allowing it to shape our interactions with others and create harmonious communities. May the example set by God’s sacrificial love, as seen through the scriptures, inspire us to live lives filled with compassion, forgiveness, and unity.
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