A The Baptist Deacon

1st John 4:16 - 21

deaconfarley | August 25, 2008 15:02

To begin today’s post we need to back up one verse, so we will start at 1st John 4:16 and finish out the chapter.

16And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 17Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19We love him, because he first loved us.  20If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

As we begin today I want you to understand first and foremost that GOD is LOVE. I also want you to understand that beginning with verse 17 it explains that herein is our love made perfect, not only that but that WE may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world.  Now ponder for a moment if you will.  Do you realize that boldness is given to us? It is given in the Day of Judgment.  It is given so that we can stand without fear. Do you ever get afraid of this world? I do.

This perfect love we are talking about is not brought on by those who think they are perfect.  You know “sister Bertha Better Than You.” It is however given by God. Look at what perfect love will do. It will cast out fear. Why? It is because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

"God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7). The denial of God and rejection of Christ because of the fear of men will, indeed, lead to torment, because "the fearful...shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone" (Revelation 21:8). ~ KJV Defenders Study Bible

We love God because he first loved us. You know that is the truth. Look at what He has done for us.  God is the very example of love. God is the example of perfect love. With out God we could not know what true love is.

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? This is from verse 20 and I believe it to be a very bold statement.  

If a man professes to love God, and yet indulges anger or revenge, or shows a selfish disposition, he gives his profession the lie. But if it is plain that our natural enmity is changed into affection and gratitude, let us bless the name of our God for this seal and earnest of eternal happiness. Then we differ from the false professors, who pretend to love God, whom they have not seen, yet hate their brethren, whom they have seen. ~ Matthew Henry Commentary

Verse 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. Here we are given a commandment “from HIM”, that he who loveth God love his brother also. We are not just talking about our natural brothers and sisters, but our brothers and sisters in Christ.

How quick do we get mad at someone in the church, or someone in our business? Do you ever get to the point that you hate someone? I wonder if you realized that you were going against God.

Now look at vs. 21 again. How much better would our world be if all of God’s children lived by the last part of this verse?

With that I bring my study of this chapter too a close. I have some thoughts for my next post; I am just not sure which thought will be first. I will just have too leave it in the Lord’s hands and trust that HE will get the honor and glory out of anything I post.

God Bless You.

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Comments

Re: 1st John 4:16 - 21

Frank | 08/25/2008, 15:58

I honor and give glory to God for your posts and His word. And He honors you, as the "vessel made unto honor" Rom. 9:21.

Re: 1st John 4:16 - 21

Frank | 08/25/2008, 20:01

You remember I said I love the writings of John. It is because he writes so much about love, which is our main dynamic. But I believe we are "missing" something about love. I don't know what it is. Me personally, I don't feel that confident about my understanding of love. It is the MOST intangible thing I have ever pursued. How can I understand it? God is Love. I don't understand everything about God. How can I understand everything about love. At least we/I should understand enough to live accordingly. It is not enough to say, "we do the best we can". ______ Perhaps "she" has some alliterative insight? I look forward to it.
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