View Video Blog, Right Click Link: I John 4:17
By this is love
perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment,
because as he is so also are we in this world.
THE STUDY:
God’s universal love can be so lived
out through us that others may see in some measure what God is like. We
participate in God’s nature now: in this
world we are like him (lit. just as
that one is also we indeed are in this world; see 2:6; 3:7).
John expects believers to be
conformed to the likeness of Jesus in love in the present (Lieu 1991,
90). Holiness is not reserved only for after death. Calvin said: “What God is
in heaven, He bids us to be in this world, that we may be reckoned his
children” (1959, 295). This astounding promise, to be like him, can hardly be
overestimated. Sharing in the nature of God is a present possibility (2 Pet
1:4). It is a reality not withheld until after death. It is the only adequate
preparation for death, when we stand before God on the day of judgment.
This firm foundation is forever linked to God’s love at work among people.
Confidence before God and Christian love go together (Bruce 1970, 113).[1]
WHAT WE CAN WALK
AWAY WITH ….
- We walk away this morning with the understanding that God’s love is lived out through us in this present day. It is not something that is reserved for a later time (Heaven) but to be lived out in the same world that the antichrist dwells.
- We also walk away with the understanding that within this love the believer finds confidence in the future. This confidence is a sense of anticipation of the coming of Christ and not a reservation. We find that Christian love and confidence go hand in hand.
CONCLUSION:
Hudson Taylor was interviewing some young
people who had volunteered for the Lord’s service. He asked several practical
questions to find out how well qualified they were for the life they were
anticipating. “And why do you wish to go as a foreign missionary?” “I want to
reach others across the sea because Christ has commanded us to go into all the
world and preach the Gospel to every creature,” one replied. Another said, “I
want to go because millions are dying without ever having heard of Jesus, the
only One who can save them.” Others have similar answers.
Hudson Taylor looked at them
thoughtfully for a moment and then said. “All of your motives are good, but I
fear they will fail you in times of severe testing and tribulation—especially
if you are confronted with the possibility of having to face death for your
testimony. The only motive that will enable you to remain true is stated in II
Corinthians 5:14. Christ’s love constraining you will keep you faithful in
every situation.”
Let us walk into this day with the Love
of Christ and the confidence that goes with it.
Blessings my friends
Pastor Rod
[1]
Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3
John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary
(149–150). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.
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