• Download Video
• Download Audio
• Print
• Email
• Save As PDF

"Beloved, let us love one another..."

Text: 1 John 4:7

A STRONG WORD OF EXHORTATION

The Apostle John was rightly called “the apostle of love”. Let us ponder this strong word of exhortation he wrote.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God;
and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”
1 John 4:7

1. “Beloved”

a) This was one of the favourite words of the Apostle John.

b) He used this affectionate term of endearment freely and frequently.

i) This is in keeping with the teaching of the Lord Jesus (John 13:34-35).

ii) This reflects just how much John possessed the great love of God in his heart.

iii) This further reflects a consistency of doctrine and practice.

2. “Let us love one another”

a) John constantly enjoins his readers to practise loving one another.

b) It is still a very necessary word today for the modern-day church.

3. “For love is of God”

a) John’s logic is quite straightforward.

b) If truly love is of God.

c) And if we say that we are of God then it follows that we ought to love one another.

4. “And everyone who loves is born of God”

a) John extends his argument a little further.

b) The person who is truly born of God will have a heart of love for people.

i) We are born again with an ability to love.

ii) We who are the “new creation” of God ought to display His love consistently.

5. “And knows God”

a) We are capable of knowing God.

b) If indeed we say that we know God, then love must flow from our hearts.

c) John’s straightforward logic argues that the true acquisition of knowledge of God should be demonstrated in a life of love.

d) John with his brother James were once called “sons of thunder” but in time, love filled his heart.