Good morning,
This week we continue our series, Who is God? My goal is to pick a chapter of the Bible that speaks to the character of God. This week we look at 1 John 4.
Who is God?
1 John 4
God is Spirit of Truth and Love
Try the Spirits (1-6)
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
First John 4 begins with the command to test spiritual claims, since not all teachers are true to the faith. Christians are never instructed to believe “just because.” In fact, we are often warned to carefully consider before we trust any particular message (Acts 17:11; Colossians 2:8–10). John was concerned that false prophets and false teachings would deceive his readers. First John 4:2 gives the test for spirits which actually come from God. These are those that acknowledge Jesus Christ’s real incarnation.
John adds that believers overcome the powers in this world because of God’s Spirit within them (1 John 4:4). “The world” refers to godless humanity. A worldly attitude listens to unbelievers and ungodly spirits, and ignores God. (https://www.bibleref.com/1-John/4/1-John-chapter-4.html)
God is Love (7-11)
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.10 Herein is love, not that we 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 ought also to love one another.
God lives in us through the Holy Spirit (12-13) 12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
The second major section returns to the idea that “God is love.” John teaches that biblical love is a sign of being born of God, and knowing God. He states emphatically that believers are to show their love for God by loving one another (1 John 4:7–12). Love not only demonstrates God’s presence in our lives, it serves as evidence to the rest of the world. Love is how the world is meant to “see” God, even though they cannot do so physically. (https://www.bibleref.com/1-John/4/1-John-chapter-4.html)
Testify of Christ (14-16)
14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Perfect Love (17-21)
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us.20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
Verses 13 through 21 can be summarized by the final verse. Anyone who claims to love God must prove it by loving his brother. John’s teaching repeatedly emphasizes the fact that a person cannot claim to love God yet hate others. As chapter 3 made clear, hate is always from a demonic source. Those who hate are not “abiding” in Christ. Believers are children of God and brothers and sisters of one another. As family, they are to love one another according to the commandment of God.
Verse 18 offers an important perspective on the relationship between love and fear. Namely, that godly love and worldly dread are incompatible. God’s perfect love drives out fear about being accepted or rejected by Him. Other places in Scripture speak of “fearing” God in the sense of awe, respect, or trembling before Him. Here, however, John’s focus is on anxiety over whether or not God will truly love and forgive us. Believers who follow God’s example of love have no reason to fear that God will not accept them. His perfect love removes the need of this fear. God is love, shows perfect love, and places love in the hearts of those who believe. (https://www.bibleref.com/1-John/4/1-John-chapter-4.html)
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com
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