Big Idea: God calls us to love, even as he loved us. This is made possible by the Spirit of Christ that dwells within us. And this love is an active and initiating love. One that seeks others out to do for them what will bring about their ultimate good.
1 John 4:7–12 (ESV) 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
Two Aspects of God’s Love
God’s Love ___________________
1 John 4:9 (ESV) 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.
John 12:24 (ESV) 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
True love is compelled to move toward the recipient of its affection to secure for it that which is best, and this does not come easy. In love, God committed himself to mankind, to secure that which is best for humanity, eternal life, through the death of his Son Jesus. God acted in love by sending. God acted in love by sacrificing. God acted in love by securing our best.
God’s Love __________________________
1 John 4:10 (ESV) 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Love is found in God’s nature and not in a response to our natures.
Luke 15:3–7 (ESV) 3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Perfected:
Questions to Consider
What does it look like to love those around you?
How might you initiate with those around you to do them good?
What would it look like to act on behalf a specific brother or sister in Christ?
What does this kind of love look like toward the unbelievers in your life?
What does this kid of love look like toward you spouse, children, parents, etc?
