(1) Main ideas and reflection
a. The source of love is God v.7-8
By loving one another we show that we have been fathered by God and we know GodReflection: We are the children of God when we believe, but when we love one another then it really shows that you know your Father.
b. The example of love
In action (God sent His Son) v.9(Reflection): To avoid people seeing the command (love one another) just in theory, John gave us the example of how God loves us-with action. He sent us the One that costs Himself most. How do we love one another? Just doing as little as possible? Or do our best?For the good of others not oneself v.9(Reflection): When God sent His Son into the world He did not have any need. We are the one in need. We need to live or be saved. Do we only meet our own needs? Do we have interest in other people's matters?Does not matter if the others love you back v.10
(Reflection): God did not just concern about our needs, but He concerns those who have not loved Him and have violated His holiness. The atonement to set aside His holiness requirement was provided by God Himself. Will you love someone who is "not worthy" of your love? Or someone who made you mad and never said sorry?
c. The necessity to love v.11-14
There is love inside of us v.11, 15-16(Reflection): In v.11, when we taste the love of God then we have the responsibility to love. In v.15-16, it is more like a process. When we first confess our faith in Jesus, the mutual residing of God and us begins. And this mutual residing relationship is not only between we and God, but we and love. No one can have the excuse of not having love to love one another.
When we love one another we become the witness for God v.12-14.
God resides in us and His love is perfected in us v.12.
(NET) When believers love one another...the love that comes from God, the love that he has for us, reaches perfection in our love for others, which is what God wants and what believers are commanded to do.
The confidence in the day of judgment v.17-19
(2) Commonly misunderstood passage
4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears punishment has not been perfected in love. 4:19 We love because he loved us first.
(NET) one is either a genuine believer, who becomes ‘perfected’ in love as he resides in love and in a mutually indwelling relationship with God (cf. 4:16b), or one is not a genuine believer at all, but one who (like the opponents) hates his brother, is a liar, and does not know God at all. This individual should well fear judgment and eternal punishment
(NET) one is either a genuine believer, who becomes ‘perfected’ in love as he resides in love and in a mutually indwelling relationship with God (cf. 4:16b), or one is not a genuine believer at all, but one who (like the opponents) hates his brother, is a liar, and does not know God at all. This individual should well fear judgment and eternal punishment
Audrey
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