The greatest love story ever told has been captured in the words: --
For God so loved the world -- that He gave His only begotten Son -- that whosoever believes in Him -- should not parish, but have everlasting life.
That great love story -- of God’s love for you & I -- ought to motivate us to truly love one another in return!
The short -- but powerful letter of 1 John -- has much to tell us about God’s love; -- In fact 1 John is saturated with the subject of love!
1 John 3:11 reads: “This is the message that you have heard from the beginning (you’ve heard it before -- but it bears repeating); -- that we should love one another.” -- Scripture lesson: 4:7-12, 16, 19-21.
Tradition tells us that the theme of the Apostle John’s preaching was -- “Love one another!”
The story is told about the Apostle John -- who lived longer than any of Jesus’ disciples -- when he was nearly 100 yrs old -- he stood to preach -- & repeatedly said: -- “Love one another!” -- (4 times)
I do not know if that is true story or not -- but we do know that repeatedly in this short letter -- John admonishes us -- over & over -- to “Love one another” -- see vs. 3:11 3:23 4:7 4:11 & 4:12
“Let us love one another” -- is more than an exhortation:
If a person is truly born of God; -- has fellowship with God; -- & walks in the Light; -- he/she will invariably love others because “love is of God.”
Hubert Humphrey once said: -- “The way you treat your fellow man is a reflection of how you treat God.”
My friends -- spiritually is not how you worship God; -- it is how you treat your fellow man!
How do you treat those around you? -- In your family? -- On the job? -- In the classroom? -- In the neighborhood? -- In the church?
How much of the love of Christ do others see in your life?
John’s message to the church today (to you & me as the people of God) is:
“Loving God means loving one another!”
Let’s not just talk about love -- let’s practice real love!
Three very important lessons on love are contained in our Scripture for today: --
1 The Presence of Love Reveals the Presence of God! -- (4:7)
The very essence of God is summed up in the word love; -- We are told “God is love” (4:8).
Therefore -- love becomes a test of our relationship with God.
When we love -- we are but bearing the reflection of God’s presence in our lives. -- So let us practice loving each other!
I am not talking about a sexual kind of love -- a lust-filled sensuous love -- a self-seeking love -- a self-satisfying love.
I am talking about a Spirit-filled love -- a Christ-like love!
It is not how loudly you shout ‘amen.’
It is not how ambitious you are to defend the fundamentals of the faith.
It is not how religiously you attend church -- which proves that you are a Christian! -- Jesus declared: -- “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples; if you have love one for another!” (John 13:35)
Spiritually is not how you worship God; -- it is how you treat your fellow man! -- How do you treat those around you?
How do you treat those who are in the church?
How do you treat those who live in your neighborhood?
If you want to love God -- love your fellow man!
If you want to love God -- love God’s family! -- love one another!
I know there are disagreeable Christians with whom it is difficult to get along; -- they may be unlovely & unloving; -- but remember -- we too may not be as loving as what we ought.
The secret of being able to love the unlovely -- is to keep your eyes fixed on the greatest Lover of all -- JESUS CHRIST!
You know -- when we get to heaven -- we are going to be surprised to see some people there! -- Want another thought? -- They are going to be surprised to see you there! -- Why? -- Because of the way we treated them here on earth!
“To live above with the saints we love -- Oh that will be glory!
But to live below with the saints we know; -- well, that’s another story!”
What we need is more of the Presence of God in our lives today -- for God is love!
Illus: A Hindu manufacturer once told E. Stanley Jones -- the missionary to India -- why he came to the meetings: -- “Years ago when I was a boy -- we heckled a missionary in the open market; -- we threw tomatoes at him. -- He wiped off the tomato juice from his face -- & then after the meeting took us to the sweet shop & bought us sweets. -- I saw the love of Christ that day -- & that’s why I’m here!”
The more of the presence of God we possess -- the greater the degree of love we possess!
2. The Absence of Love Reveals the Absence of God! -- (4:8)
John says in the negative in vs... 8 what he has just said in the positive in vs. 7.
The person who refuses to love -- doesn’t know the first thing about God -- because God is love! -- So you cannot know Him if you don’t love!
Anything less than love -- is less than godliness!
For any one to say “I love God” -- & show less than love for his/her brothers & sisters in Christ -- makes that person a liar!
If you are not loving & kind & compassionate toward others -- it shows that you don’t know God -- for God is love!
You cannot love God & use people! -- You cannot love God & ignore people! -- You cannot love God, & at the same time forget people!
When you forget people & use people & ignore people -- you are doing that to God! -- Loving God means loving people!
Do you constantly criticize fellow Christians because you differ with them on certain points? -- Do you constantly find fault with others?
Do you shun certain fellow Christians because you don’t see eye to eye with them? -- Do you gossip about other Christians?
Do you have spite in your heart toward others?
Let’s love one another -- & leave the judging to God!
For the absence of love reveals the absence of God!
No where in the Bible does God say to understand one another; --
God didn’t say to always agree with one another; -- but He does say to love one another -- & to pray for one another!
There is no place for personal vindictiveness in the heart of those who truly love God!
Illus: Corrie ten Boom & the former prison camp guard!
Allow me make a very practical suggestion: --
Make a list of anyone & everyone you may hate - or you dislike - for any reason at all! -- Ask God to remove the hatred from your heart!
By faith accept God’s love & His presence!
Write over the list in bold print: -- “I love you by the grace of God.”
There is nothing the devil would rather do than to kill -- to destroy --to eliminate -- the love Christians have one for another!
3 The Miracle of Love Reveals the Miracle of God! -- (4:9 -10)
We love -- because God first loved us! (4:10)
That is a miracle! -- that God should love you & me!
Our love for one another is the result of the miracle of God’s love made possible in our hearts through Jesus Christ.
God’s gift of love is absolutely free! -- That is a miracle!
It is undeserved -- unearned!
Listen to the theme of these verses from God’s Word: --
John 3:16 -- Romans 5:3 -- I John 4:9-10.
God so loved us that He sent His Son to satisfy God’s anger against our sins; -- since God loved us as much as that, we surely ought to love each other!
We must never underestimate what the power of this same love -- the miracle of love -- will do in our human relationships!
Whether marriages -- family -- business associations -- or friendships -- the miracle of God’s love in us can make all the difference!
The power of love can work miracles in our lives!
Does the miracle of God’s love dwell in your heart today?
Illus: -- Some years ago a tramp knocked at the back door of a NH residence -- & asked for something to eat.
While preparing a meal for the tramp -- the lady of the house learned that at one time the tramp had lived a better life. -- But strong drink had driven him from one sin into another -- until, sapped of all ambition -- he had become a drifter. -- He was convinced that now no one cared for him
A small boy in that NH home finally walked over to the tramp -- placed his little hand on the man’s ragged coat sleeve -- & said most earnestly: - “Man, do you love God?”
Repeating the question several times & getting no answer -- the child concluded: -- “Well man, God loves you!” -- The beggar’s eyes filled with tears & his hand trembled -- but still he made no reply.
The little boy then went to his room -- & returned with 10 pennies he had been saving for candy. -- Sympathetically, he gave them to the tramp.
The man’s head bent even lower as he rose & left the house.
Many months later -- a letter came addressed to the child. -- It said in part: -- “Little one, your words saved me from hell! -- After I left your home, all I could hear as I walked along was, ‘Man, God loves you!’ -- I finally threw myself on the ground & wept all the hardness out of my heart. -- I cried, ‘O God, give me the faith of a little child once more -- & save my poor soul for Jesus’ sake.’ -- I have a job now, & clothes, & a place to sleep. -- God bless you, son, for helping to lead an old dirty tramp to the Savior!”
My friends -- Don’t ever underestimate the miracle of love!
When the miracle of God’s love flows through you -- it works a miracle in the way you respond to those around you!
Conclusion:
My friends -- let the miracle of love happen in your heart today!
Remember: -- The Presence of love reveals the Presence of God.
And the Absence of love reveals the Absence of God.
Nobody will know what you mean by saying: “God is love” -- unless you act it out!
Our time is growing short! -- Jesus could come again at anytime!
We are running out of time; -- the midnight hour is upon us -- & too many of God’s people are estranged -- & not getting along with one another!
There is no time to waste on anything less than a Christ-like attitude! -- & a Christ-like love!
The Christian is in this battle to the finish -- & we must not allow any thing to break the chain of love -- that binds the body of Christ together in harmony!
We must not fight one another -- struggle against one another -- work against one another -- try to frustrate one another -- we must truly love one another!
A revival of love is one of the greatest revivals any church can experience.
We need to ask God to show us where we’re failing to love -- & to make us willing to correct what is missing in our experience of love.
The Apostle Paul describes the act of the miracle of love in Romans 5:5 -- “The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the HS which is given unto us.”
It is like a pitcher filled with love being poured into our hearts.
Do you have a lack of love? -- Genuine love & compassion for others?
Then let the love of God flood & fill your heart full & overflowing! --
Let Him do it in your heart today! -- Let Him do it now!
Sing: -- “Where the Spirit of the Lord Is”