Overview by Deborah Hillman
Lesson Text: 1 John 4: 7-21
Our lesson this week speaks of God’s love for mankind in that He loved us so much He sent his only son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for our sins so that we would be set free. Scripture reminds us that God is love and if we love him then we ought to love our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. That true love originates from God and enables us to love one another as his children. This love shows that we know God, and it reveals that we have been born again in Christ Jesus.
When we love God, confessing that love should come natural in the love we show others whether if they’re born again believers or not. John identified several traits, among them were obedience to his word and ways, righteous living, serving others and loving those that don’t make it easy. The love God within us encourages behavior that reflects his character and love for us and others. Professing faith in God is how we receive salvation, because we are saved by grace through faith.
1 John 4: 7-21 shows us that God’s love for us is paramount in the way we treat others, have faith in his love for us, and put the love for him into action. Christian love is perfected or made complete in the life of believers by our actions. Such love leads to boldness and confidence in proclaiming the Gospel to non-believers. Our love flows from his love for us, so we must love both God and one another, which Christ declared to be the greatest of his commandments.
Related Scriptures by Doug Smith
John 13:31-35 ;17:20-23 ;Roman’s 5:1-8 ; 1 John 3:11-24
John 13:31-35 describes these few moments in clear detail. We can see that Jesus knew exactly what was going to happen with Judas and Peter. To love others was not a new commandment, but to love others as much as Christ love others was revolutionary. Now we are to love others based on Jesus’ sacrificial love for us. This love will not only bring unbelievers to Christ, It will also keep believers strong and united in a world hostile to God.
In John 17:20-23, Jesus prayed for all who would follow Him, and his desire for his disciples would become one. He wanted them unified as a powerful witness to the reality of God’s love. Roman’s 5:1-8 relates, we now have peace with God, and we now stand in a place of highest privilege. We are presented with a powerful message of transformation, reconciliation, and hope through faith in Jesus Christ.
In these passages of scripture, 1 John 3:11-24, we learn the importance of loving one another. God’s love for us enables us to love others like God loves us. We are to pray to be that someone to extend grace, mercy, and love to this dying world. Obeying God’s command to love , as we believe in Jesus, leads us to a deeper confidence in God.
Practical Points by Janice Hall
1) Love makes us more like Christ and thus removes fear of judgement
When we seek to love as Christ loved, with forgiveness, selflessness and compassion, we as believers can become more like Christ. Jesus taught and demonstrated love to all. Through our faith and the indwelling Holy Spirit our transformation develops into Christlike love. We reflect the nature of God when we reflect on I John 4:,7,8. Christ’s love is sacrificial, unconditional, and to become more like him is a continual process as we rely on God’s grace.
2) God’s love for us obligates us to love others.
Jesus prayed for his disciples, and we can pray on behalf of others. We can pray that they have peace and comfort, trust and courage, just to name a few. We can love others by encouraging and spending time with them. We can and should share the love of God through hospitality, as the scripture reminds us in Hebrews 13: 1-2. Just as Jesus has reconciled us to God, He wants us to be reconciled with each other through forgiveness.
