In 1 John 4, the apostle instructed his readers to “test the spirits, whether they are of God.” This testing was necessary because, “many false prophets have gone out into the world.” One of the false doctrines that was deceiving brethren at that time was the claim that Jesus had not really come in the flesh. John said that the denial of Jesus’ humanity was “the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world” (vs. 3).
In writing to his brethren, John said, “You are of God” (vs. 4), and “We are of God” (vs. 6). These statements were in contrast to those who “are of the world.” They “speak as of the world, and the world hears them” (vs. 5). In contrast, John commended his readers as those who know God and who would as a result heed John’s writings, “He who knows God hears us” (vs. 6). This willingness to heed John’s writings was evidence that his readers, (in contrast to the worldly), possessed the “spirit of truth” (vs. 6).
It is in this context that John instructed his readers on the importance of love. As did the acceptance of Jesus’ humanity, the presence of love set the true believer apart from the world. “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (vs. 8).
Love is a characteristic of God’s people. This is widely known, though often only superficially understood. Throughout the text of 1 John, the Greek term translated love is agape. Action is intrinsic in the word, at least as it is used by the Holy Spirit. Love is not found in empty words, but in the uplifting actions of the benevolent.
In our text, John first established our motivation. It is stated concisely in verse 19, “We love Him because He first loved us”; but is stated more fully in verses 9 and 10. Also, the application is then made, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (vs. 11). Three things are here established that we desire to examine carefully: 1) God’s love for us; 2) Our love for one another; and 3) Our love for God.
Motivation – God’s Love for Us
Consider John’s words, “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10).
God’s expression of love is not reciprocal. In other words, He does not love us because we love Him. His love predates our response to Him. In fact, He loves us despite our showing ourselves unworthy of His benevolence. The apostle Paul recorded the identical sentiment in his epistle to the Romans, “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (5:6-8). In contrast, the love that we show toward Him, as indicated in verse 19 of our text, is reciprocal. “We love Him because He first loved us.”
At this point it is appropriate to note the extent of that love of God. It is seen in the fact that God acted on our behalf despite our sin. Man has ever been “unloveable.” Each man, when given the choice between obedience and disobedience, has at some point in time chosen to rebel against Him, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The extent of His love can also be seen in the action itself. The Father had a single “begotten” Son. He sent him to earth to die in our stead. It is this Paul referred to in Romans 5. While some may sacrifice themselves for the righteous, Jesus died for the ungodly. The Father sent the Son to die for sinners. He did so, as John notes, “that we might live through Him”; and, “to be the propitiation for our sins.” This expression of love boggles the mind. It is unique, and the foundation of all our subsequent expressions of love both to God and our fellow man.
Obligation – Our Love for One Another
For the majority of his treatise on love, John emphasized that we are to show love for one another. Why?
- “for love is of God” (7)
- “everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” (7)
- “He who does not love does not know God” (8)
- “we also ought to love one another” (11)
- If we love one another, “God abides in us” (12)
- If we love one another, “His love has been perfected in us” (12)
- “By this we know we abide in Him, and He in us” (13)
- “He who abides in love abides in God, and God in him” (16)
- “There is no fear in love” (18)
- If we do not love our brother, we are “a liar” regardless of our protestations of love for God (20)
While some of these phrases indicate that love is characteristic of the child of God, and gives evidence his profession is true, I would like to focus on the statement in verse 11. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” This sentence establishes the love for brethren as an obligation of the child of God. The word “ought” (opheileo), as defined by Strong indicates an obligation we are under. Synonyms include: must, should, indebted, owe.
This is not an expression that is easily understood. I recognize a duty to my God as a result of His benevolence toward me. But why does my debt extend to others? Simply, because God created me for that purpose! Note the words of Paul in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Paul both proclaimed this truth, and lived by it. His stirring words to the Romans declare the depth of this feeling of obligation toward others, “I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also” (Romans 1:14-15). Remember, in order for a man to truly be a lover of God (“whom he has not seen”), he must show the capability of loving his brother (“whom he has seen”) (cf. 1 John 4:20).
Further, we must remember that action is intrinsic in John’s concept of love. We love our brother when we actively seek his welfare. Such love is seen when we pray, offering supplications on his behalf. The practices of benevolence and hospitality are expressions of love. Exhortation is as well. In Hebrews 10, the command to assemble is given for the purpose of “exhorting one another” (vs. 25). It is our concern for our brother in Christ that compels us to be present, and encourage him. Even discipline is a demonstration of love, as it is beneficial to the erring one. “Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20).
Reciprocation – Our Love for God
Late in the chapter, John wrote, “We love Him because He first loved us” (vs. 19). Here we see that our love is reciprocal to the expression of God’s love for us. However, the mere profession, “I love God,” does not make it so. Contextually, as noted above, we must love our brother to be taken seriously in our protestations of our love for God. “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar” (vs. 20).
As stated, this love is an active desire for and seeking after the welfare of another. In this case, the object of such love is God. This raises an interesting question. How can we “seek the welfare” of God? God is perfect, and lacks nothing. He has no need for us. Paul stated in his address in Athens, “God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things” (Acts 17:24-25). While it is true that God does not “need” us, it is equally true that we have been created to serve Him. In that same address, Paul said, “He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth … so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him” (Acts 17:26-27). So, we are still seeking what is best for, or rather, what is most pleasing to God. What pleases God is our obedience!
John’s discussion of love, begun in verse 7 of the chapter, is not completed at chapter’s end. In fact, the context continues at least into chapter 5, verse 5. Twice in those verses John indicates that we love God when we “keep His commandments” (5:2; 5:3). Fortunately, we are assured that “His commandments are not burdensome” (5:3). Jesus said the same thing in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” The juxtaposition of love and obedience is given an appropriate application in 1 John 4:21, one that brings the discussion full circle. “And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.”
Conclusion
A careful reading and study of our text (1 John 4:7 – 5:5), is fruitful for the child of God. The command to love is both fundamental to the Christian, and the most profound and mature expression of his faith. We love God because of His love for us. That love of God compels us to love one another, that we might please Him. It reminds us of Jesus’ answer to the scribe’s question regarding the two greatest commandments. “Jesus said to him, ‘“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.’”
God loved the world so much that He sent His Son to secure our Redemption. May this realization motivate us to reciprocate that love with our own, and to fulfill our obligation to love one another.
