Overview (EBC) God’s love which originates in Himself (7, 8) and was manifested in His Son (9, 10) is perfected in His people (12)
1. R.W. Love one another, knows God v.7-8
- (NET) he use of a generalization like everyone who presents a way of categorizing the opponents on the one hand and the recipients, whom the author regards as genuine Christians, on the other. Thus everyone who loves refers to all true Christians, who give evidence by their love for one another that they have indeed been begotten by God and are thus God’s children. The opposite situation is described in the following verse, 4:8, where (although everyone [πᾶς, pas] is omitted) it is clear that a contrast is intended.
- Love one another is the litmus test for the true knower of God. Did the audience of 1 John regard knowing God highly but not loving one another?
2. The love of God is revealed in sending us His son v.9-10
- He sent His one and only Son which is precious to Him. The purpose is for us. In other words, He sacrifice for us.
- The people He sacrifices for was a group of people who have not loved God
- The sacrifices was the atoning sacrifices for our sins. God sent Jesus to come so that Jesus died on the Cross to satisfy the wrath of God on those who have not loved Him. He took the initiative with a great cost on Himself.
3. What does v.12b means?
If we love one another, God resides in us, and his love is perfected in us.
Perfect (BDAG) to overcome or supplant an imperfect state of things by one that is free fr. objection, bring to an end, bring to its goal/accomplishment...make perfect...someth. The Lord is called upon, in the interest of his community...faith was perfected in good deeds Js 2:22.
(NET) 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
(EBC) As God was once present in his Son, so now he is present through the community of faith. And it is in this community that love has its ultimate fulfillment...God’s love for us is perfected only when it is reproduced in us or (as it may mean) ‘among us’ in the Christian fellowship.”
4. Summary and reflection: Love one another is important, as it is the litmus test of a true believer of God. God Himself loves us and sacrifices a great deal for us who contributes nothing to Him. We, as the recipients, should not be unmoved and ought to put ourselves in action. We no longer lives to please ourselves but to fulfill His goal, i.e. love like God to another another.
Am I just receiving God's love and never thought of doing something back? If yes, do I really know God? Enjoying God and not loving means I do not know Him.
God sacrifices a great deal to love. What sacrifices I have made for God? Do I complain when I just give back a little to "unworthy" people and things?
Do I care about God's plan and want to carry it to the goal? Or do I only care about my goal?
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