Scripture References: 1 John 4:7-21 (main text); John 3:16; John 4:24; Hebrews 12:29; John 15:9-16

Intro: Welcome to this sermon from our series on 1 John. John, the last living apostle, wrote this letter to churches facing division, teaching believers how to discern true faith from false teachings. He provides three tests: right belief (doctrine), right living (obedience), and right loving (genuine love for others). Today, we focus on 1 John 4:7-21 and the critical test of love, exploring why love is the defining characteristic of those truly born of God.

Key Points:

1. Love as the Defining Mark: John states unequivocally: "Whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love" (vv. 7-8). This isn't optional; demonstrating agape (self-giving, sacrificial) love is evidence of genuine relationship with God, like a child naturally resembling their parent.
2. God's Essence IS Love: Love isn't just something God does or has; it is His fundamental nature (vv. 8, 16). Therefore, all His actions – creating, judging, redeeming – flow from and are consistent with His loving essence.
3. Holding God's Nature in Tension: While God is love, Scripture also reveals He is Light (exposing darkness - 1 John 1:5) and a Consuming Fire (judging impurity - Heb 12:29). Reducing God to only love distorts His character and can lead to falsely condoning sin. Holding these truths together gives a complete picture: His love motivates Him to expose darkness (Light) and deal with sin (Fire) ultimately through the reconciling work of the cross.
4. The Complex Dimensions of God's Love: Understanding God's love is complex. Scripture describes it in various ways (drawing from D.A. Carson):
   • Intra-Trinitarian Love: Perfect love within the Godhead.
   • Providential Love: Sustaining care for all creation.
   • Saving Stance towards the World: General love, inviting all (John 3:16).
   • Electing Love: Particular, choosing love for His people (Eph 1).
   • Conditional/Relational Love: Experienced through obedience ("Remain in my love" - John 15). Emphasizing only one dimension leads to a distorted view (e.g., only yearning love makes God seem weak; only electing love can seem exclusive). We must embrace the fullness.
5. The Cross: Love Manifested: God demonstrated His love by sending Jesus as the propitiation (atoning sacrifice) for our sins (vv. 9-10). The cross displays all dimensions of His love: the Father sending the Son He loves, providing salvation for the world He loves, securing the redemption of the people He chose, and enabling us to abide in His love through Christ.
6. Our Response: Loving Others: Because God first loved us so profoundly, the necessary response is to love one another (v. 11, 19). Loving God and loving others are inseparable; claiming to love God while hating a brother proves the claim false (vv. 20-21).

Conclusion: The defining test of authentic faith, according to John, is love. Because God is love in His very essence, those truly connected to Him will reflect His self-giving nature. Understanding His love requires embracing its rich, biblical complexity, ultimately finding its clearest demonstration at the cross.

Call to Action: Examine your life by John's test: Is your life characterized by active, self-giving love for God and others? Don't settle for a one-dimensional view of God's love; embrace its fullness revealed in Scripture. Meditate on the cross as the ultimate expression of His love. Receive

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