Love On: A Study Through 1 JohnSample

By Pastor Dan Hickling

“And we have known and believed the love that God has for us.”— 1 John 4:16 (NKJV) 

God’s love is just one of those things we’ll never fully unpack. The reach of God’s love is immeasurable, its impact is infinite, and the extent of its goodness defies description. But this doesn’t prevent John from taking a moment to remind us of a few of love’s benefits which every believer should know. 

First, John tells us that the love of God is a foundation. As we see above, a belief in God’s love precedes everything. Apart from the reality of God’s love, there’s nothing to talk about or live for. But for those who put their trust in the love of God, they find it’s a foundation capable of supporting more than they could ever imagine. There’s nothing in all the universe more sure, strong, or stable than God’s love!

Second, we see that God’s love is an identity. Notice as John describes how inseparable love and God are: “God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him” (1 John 4:16 NKJV).

If God is defined or identified by anything, it’s love! The same goes for us, as we are called to abide in His love. Of course, we’re not perfect in this area, but when we are filled with God’s love and abiding in its reality, our lives become identified by it! In a time when people are constantly asking, “Who am I?”, what better answer could there be than a channel of God’s love?

Love is also an assurance. 1 John 4:17 (NKJV) tells us, “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment.” Those who don’t know the love of God sense something is wrong. The guilt of sin can be suppressed but never completely silenced. Judgment is coming! Only those who know God’s love know freedom from this fear. His love is the assurance of forgiveness and everlasting life.

Lastly, love is an enablement. We read in 1 John 4:17 (NKJV), “Because as He is, so are we in this world.” God’s love is a super-power, if you will, because it gives us the supernatural ability to be like God while here on Earth. We are His divinely appointed representatives, uniquely enabled by His love to direct lost sinners to the Savior who longs to forgive and rescue them.

DIG: What four benefits of God’s love does John direct us to in this passage?

DISCOVER: Which one are you most prone to forget?

DO: Find a way today to remind yourself of God’s love and what it entails.