SUPERNATURAL LOVE/1 JOHN 4:7-11
There’s a popular notion that has circulated in Christian circles
for years now. It is the notion that unless we love ourselves, we
cannot love others. Have you fallen prey to such erroneous teaching?
John, in our text, will help us understand the truth about love,
God’s supernatural love. As we begin, we return to ...
I) JOHN’S MAJOR THEME–Vv.7-8
A) John, in verse 7, returns to one of his major
themes–love for brothers and sisters in Christ. We must be clear at
the outset that this love "is not a virtue innate in us nor is it
learned behavior. It is ‘from God.’" So, the kind of love
John is talking about has it origin/source in God, and those who
possess it love with God’s supernatural love, which in turn becomes
the evidence that one is of God. We can say here with John Calvin,
" ... true knowledge of God necessarily produces love in
us." And, " ... true knowledge of God is that which
regenerates and renews us ..." The foundation of the love that
John talks about is a true knowledge of God, revealed in His Word, and
by which we have been saved. So, only those saved by God’s amazing
grace can love as John commands them to. We are brought to consider a
supernatural love.
B) In verse 8, John reasons further that one who does
not exercise supernatural love does not know God. John wants to make
clear that God does not just love, but His very nature is love. In
other words, His very character and His acts are consistent. God
created in love, rules in love, and judges in love. God is love! Yet,
John calls those born of God to a more consistent God-like character
and actions. It might be helpful to know that John is here refuting
the boasting of the Gnostics that they possessed greater knowledge,
for if they did possess greater knowledge of God, then they would be
loving as God loved, but they were not. Now we come to ...
II) JOHN’S DEFINITION OF LOVE–Vv.9-10
A) In verse 9, John tells us how God’s love is
revealed/made known "in us" or "to us." In other
words, John is telling us of the principal evidence of God’s love
for His own. What is that principal evidence? That "God has sent
His only begotten Son into the world ..." We can say that God’s
love is understood best by what He did. One commentator said it this
way, "God’s love required Him to send His Son." And, he
goes on to say, "John does not say, ‘God loves us because we
are God’s loving children.’ No, the opposite is true, for Paul
tells us that we have a sinful mind that is hostile to God (Romans
8:7)." So, our greatest need is for God to pour out His love
in our hearts through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. If we know His
love, and live in that love, then we can know with certainty that it
is from God as a gift through faith in His Son cf. Romans 5:5-10.
Also, in 1 John4:9, we are told of a benefit that comes to
those who possess the genuine love of God–"we will live through
Him." Though once dead in trespasses and sins, we have now
"passed out of death into life" through the work of God’s
only begotten Son (1 John 3:14; Colossians 1:13-14).
B) In verse 10, John further explains that God
initiated love with a specific end in mind–the
"propitiation" of our sins. In other words, Jesus came to
take on flesh for the purpose of turning away the just judgment of God
against us, and to cover our sins. Not only do we learn about what our
salvation in Christ accomplished, but we also learn that "it is
God’s love for us that defines what true love requires, which is the
commitment to sacrifice one’s most beloved possession for
another’s gain." Now that is supernatural love! If we loved
like that, then the world would see God’s glory in His Son cf.
John 17:25-26; 13:35. And now, we conclude with ...
III) THE ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THIS LOVE–V.11
A) "God’s love in us requires deeds by which we show
our love for one another." Even when we have irritated one
another. Even when we have offended one another. Even when we have
sinned against one another. Even when we feel betrayed, hurt, or
cheated. Let me conclude with this question: "When the world
looks at the church do they see a love that can only be explained by
the supernatural work of God?" And, this then becomes the key
question for us today, and for our lives.
1) First, "We love, because He first loved us" (1
John 4:19).
2) Second, love for one another let’s folks know we are
disciples of Jesus cf. John 13:35. Conversely, hatred for
another proves that he does not love God cf. 1 John 4:20.
3) Third, but related to the second test, love seeks to
minimize offenses–NOT TRUTH--so that others might be saved cf. 1
Corinthians 10:32-33.
4) Fourth, we were saved to proclaim the excellencies of
Christ cf. 1 Peter 2:9-12.
5) Finally, let me finish this point up by pointing us to
the following passages: cf. Romans 12:10; 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.
It occurs to me, that if we loved like this, we would see some
measurable changes in our marriages, families, churches,
neighborhoods, communities, and our world. Christian, is their
evidence, growing evidence that the love of God has changed you?
Don’t look at anyone else. Test yourself and see if you are in the
faith. Would there be enough evidence to convict you of being one of
Jesus’ disciples? If we have failed, then let us confess and repent
of our own sins. If we have never known the love of God in Christ,
then today trust Christ to save you from sin and the wrath of God.
III) QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER
A) Which do you believe to be more important in God’s
eyes? The results of our behavior–the good produced or the
motivation behind our behavior–regardless of the good it produces?
B) According to 2 Timothy 3:1-5, what characterizes
the "last days"? Have you observed any of these recently?
Read of them in the newspaper?
C) How are we to avoid the danger of loving ourselves to a
sinful extent? According to this message, what is the proper, biblical
foundation for Godly motivation/behavior?
D) What evidence was given in this message, that you can use
as a gauge, to measure your biblical understanding of motivation and
its subsequent actions? What do you need to do now? Confess sin?
Repent? Get busy? Trust Christ as Savior?
