“Evidence of His Love Made Complete”

1 John 4:13-21

August 26, 2007

Carl Palmer

Pastor-Teacher

 

 

 

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another,

God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

                                                                                                            1 John 4:12

 

 

 

As God’s love is being “made complete” in our lives, we have an increasing experience of our union (“fellowship”) with God.   (13-16)

 

 

13 We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

 

 

 

 

 

15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.

 

 

 

 

16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  

 

 

 

 

As God’s love is being “made complete” in our lives, we have an increasing confidence in facing the day of judgment.   (17-18)

 

 

17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.

 

 

 

 

 

 

18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

 

 

 

 

As God’s love is being “made complete” in our lives, we have an increasing experience of genuine love for God and people.   (19-21)

 

 

 

 

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.

 

 

 

 

 

Only by giving ourselves to the life God has designed us to live will we experience why we were created, joyful anticipation of our future, and true significance in our present.

 

 

Going deeper with the Word…

 

1.  What does it mean to you that “in this world we are like Him”?  (4:17)

 

2.  Do you think of yourself as living your life “in God” and His life “in you”? 

 

3.  Are you fearful of “the day of judgment”?  If so, what do you think God wants you to do about it?

 

4.  In what ways can your love be more practical and meaningful?