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"We also ought to love one another."

Text: 1 John 4:11

RAMIFICATIONS

The Apostle John had to establish definitively that God’s love for us is without equal! No matter how much man may speak of his love for God, it is the Lord’s Divine love that must feature strongly when we speak of love. John went on to discuss the ramifications of knowing God’s love.

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
1 John 4:11

1. “Beloved”

a) John was the first to practise what he taught.

b) Knowing God’s love enabled him to love his readers.

c) Thus he addressed them tenderly as “Beloved”.

d) John was most consistent in using this word to describe his feelings for his readers.

i) They are beloved to him.

ii) They are beloved little children.

2. “If God so loved us”

a) We have a classic conditional sentence here (called a “first class conditional sentence”).

b) “If God so loved us” is known as the protasis.

c) It is a fact that God has loved us.

d) This is an undeniable fact.

e) God demonstrated His love when He sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

3. “We also ought to love one another”

a) This is the apodosis, the second part of the conditional sentence.

b) It follows from the first statement.

c) John added an emphasis when he used the word “ought”.

d) Even if he did not use this word, it follows that we should love one another.

e) The focus on loving one another is correct: –

i) Theologically

ii) Morally

iii) Personally

Let us be deeply challenged to ponder the ramifications of knowing God’s love. If we do not love each other, can we truly speak of knowing God’s love?