1 John 4:11-12
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

Application:

John connects the two key issues the false teachers have misunderstood: love of God and love of neighbor. For John, these two forms of love are inseparably linked.

No one has seen God in His complete, manifest form. John argues that although no one has seen God, His character can be observed in believers who love as He does.

You can’t see the wind, but you can observe its effects. People can’t see God, but they should witness His love at work through His children. Love God’s children; He will grant you rich, intimate fellowship through His Spirit.

John argues in 1 John 4:20 that if we say we love God but hate a Christian brother or sister, we are liars. How can we love a person we do not see (God) and hate one of His children whom we can see?

Loving God’s children, those born again and in Christ, is a commandment, not a choice (1 John 4:21).

Ref: Tony Evans, The Tony Evans Bible Commentary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2019), 1377.
Ref: John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), 1 Jn 4:11.

To God, be the glory!

Our Lord Jesus Christ created everything! By Him, For Him!

“The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

Disclaimer

When God inspires me, I write or post articles that glorify God. I invite you to view this post as a Bible study. Like the Bereans in Acts 17:11, I encourage you to search the Scriptures to determine whether what I have posted is true. Always consult your church ministers regarding biblical matters. I am not a professional writer, so there may be grammatical or spelling errors. I strive to write as clearly and efficiently as possible. Your brother in Christ, Ricardo.

#Jesus, #God, #HolySpirit, #Bible, #Israel, #lent, #prayer, #wisdom, #faith, #battle, #spiritual