1 John 4:11-21
Divine love has been shown to men in two ways, each of the utmost importance: Christ laying down His life for us (1 John 3:16) and God sending His Son (1 John 4:10) both show this divine love to men. Now men are shown this love in a third way: the Lord’s redeemed people loving one another. This is how God is — or should be — seen (v. 12) now that the Lord Jesus is no longer on earth (John 1:18). It is not possible to love God and not to love His children. When someone is very dear to us, everything which concerns them is also dear to us. Can it be said for example that a husband who does not love his in-laws really loves his wife? To "love in word" i.e. merely to say that we love, does not satisfy God (1 John 3:18). Throughout this epistle these expressions constantly occur: "if we say . . ." (1 John 1:6; 1 John 1:8; 1 John 1:10), "he that saith . . ." (1 John 2:4; 1 John 2:6; 1 John 2:9), "if a man say . . ." (v. 20). "We love him . . .", declares the apostle (v. 19). So let’s show that we do!
We have found in these verses:1. love for us (v. 9), the salvation which has already been accomplished;2. love in us (vv. 12, 15, 16), poured out by the Spirit in our hearts;3. finally, love with us (v. 17 JND trans.), giving us assurance even when soon we will stand before God.This is what divine love does for us!