There are a couple of interesting verses in 1 John 4 that are worth talking about. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (7-8).
John’s claim is fairly radical. It is a way of defining what love truly is. Understand that most everyone thinks they know what love is. Because they hold their own definitions, and their definitions conflict with that of God’s, they will go so far as to call Christians unloving, when they are exhibiting true love!
Consider the argument. God is love. So, if you don’t love, then you don’t know (understand) God. Conversely, every who does love (as God defines it) by definition is born of God and knows (understands) Him. When we share the gospel with the world, some claim it to be unloving (judgmental). When we put God first in our lives, and determine to serve Him with all our heart, soul and mind, we will be called unloving by some. When we talk about obedience, judgment and punishment – again we are accused of lacking love. But God defines love, not men. The only type of love (true love) is a love that is exemplified and required by God Himself.
“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” (vs. 9). God’s sacrificial act, given for man’s redemption, is the personification of true love. Love is sacrificial. It seeks the welfare of others. It always does what is best and needful.
“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (vs. 11). For us to be truly loving, our love must be the same (in kind) as that of God Himself. We too must be sacrificial. We must strive to supply to others what the need (not what they want). We must be deferential, sacrificial and selfless in our behavior toward men. If we truly understand that God’s expectation of love is for us to keep His commandments, and love others as we love ourselves, then we are born of God and we know Him.
Disregard the religious person who has not submitted himself totally to God’s will. He does not know what love is, does not practice it, and does not truly know (understand) God. Disregard the objections of the worldly, who have distorted views of love, equating it with toleration and acceptance of sin. They too don’t have any idea what love is, and have no understanding of God and His nature.
Instead, search the scriptures. Find out how God defines love, and abide in His will and words. In so doing, you assure yourself both a relationship and standing with Him. For, God is love!
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