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"If someone says, 'I love God...'"

Text: 1 John 4:20

CHECKING DECLARATIONS OF LOVE

It is easy for declarations of love for God to be made. However, such declarations must be verified! Verbal declarations in themselves do not mean very much.

“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar;
for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen,
how can he love God whom he has not seen?”
1 John 4:20

1. If someone says, ‘I love God’

a) This is a verbal declaration.

i) The construction of this sentence in the Greek text suggests some doubts.

ii) The protasis “if” suggests that this statement may not be taken at face value.

b) The way this conditional sentence is written suggests that John was not impressed.

i) With mere verbal declarations.

ii) What follows is just as critical and will validate what is declared.

2. “And hates his brother”

a) This is called the apodosis.

b) It is the necessary second part of the conditional sentence.

c) The person who declares his love for God in fact hates his brother.

d) This does not tally with a verbal declaration of love for God; it proves that the speaker has lied!

3. “For he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?”

a) John’s argument is logical and sound.

b) A declaration of love for God must be matched by a love for a brother.

c) If love for an invisible God exists, then love for a visible brother ought to be there.

d) John queries the person who lacks a love for his brother and yet declares a love for God.

e) This situation is an anomaly!

CHECKING OUT OUR LOVE FOR GOD

There are many ways in which we can check if our declaration of love for God is real!

1. We will abide in His love.

2. This love will cast our fears.

3. We will love the brethren.