Lacking Love (4:7-21)

Early Errors
A Study of 1st John

1. Has everyone who loves REALLY been born of God? Do they REALLY all know God? Aren’t non-Christians capable of love? Doesn’t verse 8 make a lot more sense than verse 7b?

I can think of 4 possible explanations for 7b:

a. It's talking about the source of love directionally. All true love comes from God, so even non-Christians, when they practice love, are acting 'as if' they are born again. The problem with this explanation is that the phrase 'born again' and 'knows God' refers, surely, to Christians only.

b. It could be a translation issue. If you put the word 'love' at the end of the sentence, it makes simple sense (everyone who has been born again and knows God, loves). But why did all the translators translate it the way it is?

c. It could be referring to a special kind of love (agape) that is only experienced in proper relationship to Jesus Christ.

d. It could be another example of John speaking in a very black/white manner whereas the statement must be read in context of the whole letter. John here, is simply giving another 'test' for how to know you are a Christian. It should not be read as a blanket statement.

* I think c & d, together, make up the best options.

2. Verses 9-10 speak of love as sacrifice. How sacrificial is your love toward family and friends? What acts of love have you most appreciated from others?

3. John mentions the present presence of the Spirit (v. 13) and the past presence of the Son (v. 14) as confirmation of the unseen God. Why are both of these confirmations important?

* we have, here, the objective (historical Jesus) and subjective (inner presence of Spirit). These must be balanced in the life of the church.

4. Verse 16 is the second time that John has said “God is love.” What exactly does that mean? Would it be true to say that “Love is God”?

* I do not believe 'love is God' would be accurate b/c the first word pours the proper meaning into the second word. In the phrase 'God is love' the biblical message about God (grace, mercy, sacrifice) is poured into the word love (And, thus, rightly defining it). But if we say 'love is God' we allow worldly definitions of love (lust, emotion, etc) to define God.

5. How does living a loving life make us confident in the day of Judgment (v. 17-19)? How does this connect to Romans 5:3-8? Why does John keep emphasizing loving our brothers in Christ?

* As we grow in character (more mature love), we know that God is doing a work in us. If God is doing a work in us, we know He will complete it. Therefore, we have no fear of judgment day b/c the evidence indicates that we are His.