STUDIES IN FIRST, SECOND, & THIRD JOHN

Lesson 15    His Love at Work, In , Through, and To us

1 John 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

Recall that the purpose of the book is to exhort to faithful service by abiding in Christ.
Man looks at the results of man's iniquity and questions the love of God! 'If God REALLY loves us, why do we have wars, starving children, sickness, pain, sorrow, death ---Why? Why? Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
To take away wars, sickness, pain, sorrow, hunger, etc. would still leave man alienated from God - Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

1 John 4:9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him
God proves His love - not by removing the symptoms but by curing the disease, and that by the only possible remedy.
A. This is the way it was manifested. (shown openly) This was not the origin of His love, but it was the open declaration of it. The condition of the Roman Empire at that time, and the choice of the time of a great Jubilee feast of the Jews, assured the spreading of the news. No secret love affair here!

B. That we might LIVE through Him. John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Adam sinned and died. Since that time, man has been alive to sin and dead to God. Through Christ, the situation can be reversed!

1 John 4:10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Herein is love!! AMAZING! 1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not

A. In SPITE of our condition, He loves us! Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life..
Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
Titus 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Titus 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Titus 3:7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
The GREATEST love extended to the most undeserving.

B. And He is our propitiation - covering -Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Heb 9:5 And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
As the mercy seat separated the priest from the demanding tables of stones, ( they died when not so protected) so, Christ stands between us and the perfect demands of a holy God. He keeps us from looking into the face of God which would consume us, and we instead see Jesus. He keeps the Father from looking upon our shortcomings, which would destroy us, and HE SEES JESUS! Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
The logical conclusion of His love in us.
The unjust steward Mat 18:33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?
Jesus gives a direct order John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
John presents it as an obligation 1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

1 John 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
You've never seen God, but you can see His people. You can tell God of your love in prayer, but until you kneel at His throne, you must SHOW your love toward those who share His Spirit.
David's kindness to Mephibosheth for Jonathan's sake. 2 Sam 9:1 And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?
2 Sam 9:2 And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he.
2 Sam 9:3 And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet.

This is the way His love is perfected in us. It is brought to maturity.

Next: Knowing who we are, through divine love.