Read 1 John 4:7-19
Helpful Background Information:
In this passage, John returns to the theme of love, the backbone of this letter. The primary way Christians are to be recognized is by how they love others in a way that presents the presence of God’s love in their lives. This is not merely a feeling or preference for someone, but an action– how we choose to treat others. This love is something God showed us first, by sending Christ while we were still in our sin. Our love for Him is ultimately rooted in His original love for us. When we live in obedience to God, according to love, we can be confident in our relationship with Him, and have no need to fear His judgment.
When God “perfects his love in us”, it means that God’s intended purpose for loving us is fulfilled when we extend that love to others. The use of the prepositional phrase en hēmin (“in us”) in 4:9 is significant because it emphasizes how God reveals his love not only “for us” by sending his Son, but also “in us” by giving us his Spirit. The Spirit makes it possible for God to inhabit us, and for us to inhabit God, empowering us to go and share the love of God with others. God’s love in Christ not only rescued us from destruction, but provides us with a model to emulate by the power and work of the Holy Spirit.
Reflection Questions:
The text states that "God is love." How does the Bible’s definition of love in these verses differ from how the world typically defines or portrays love?
Verse 18 states that "perfect love drives out fear" because fear has to do with punishment. In Christ, we are free from condemnation/punishment. What specific fears (fear of judgment, failure, rejection, the future, etc) are you still carrying that need to be surrendered to God’s perfect love? How does God’s love change how you interact with these fears?
Because God first loved us (v. 19), we are enabled to love others. Who is someone in your life right now who is difficult to love, and how can relying on God's love and character help you extend grace to them?