1 John 4

The Explanation

John writes this letter to Christians who are confused. In their time, all kinds of teachers were walking around saying different things about Jesus. Some said Jesus was not really human, but only looked like a person. Others said He was just a good man, but not the Son of God. How do you know who is telling the truth?

John gives a clear test. He says: listen carefully to what someone says about Jesus. Whoever confesses that Jesus Christ has really come in the flesh, that means as a real human being with a real body, that person speaks by the Spirit of God. Whoever denies this does not speak from God.

Then John does something surprising. Just when you think he is going to talk more about wrong teachers, he suddenly starts talking about love. And he does not let go of that theme. Nine times in this chapter he calls his readers "beloved" or speaks about loving one another. He writes something huge: "God is love." He does not say God has love, but that love is who God is.

How do we know that? Because God sent His only Son into the world. Not because we were so nice to God, but the other way around: He loved us first, when we were not yet thinking about Him. Jesus died for our sins so that we could truly live.

And now, John says, we may love one another too. No one has ever seen God, but when we love each other, something of God becomes visible. He also writes something comforting: whoever knows this love does not have to be afraid. Fear and love cannot really live in the same room. Perfect love drives fear out the door.

What Does This Mean?

John connects two things that seem to have little to do with each other: knowing the truth about Jesus, and loving other people. But for John they belong together. Whoever really understands who Jesus is, understands that God loved us first. And whoever understands that, cannot keep it to themselves. That love wants to flow further, to other people around you.

John is honest. He writes: if you say you love God, but you hate someone in your church or family, then something is not right. It is easy to say you love God, because you cannot see Him. It is harder to love the brother or sister sitting next to you, because you can see everything about them, including things that annoy you.

The Common Thread

This chapter is full of Jesus, even though His name is not always mentioned. The whole message of the Bible comes together here in one sentence: "not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins."

That is the big story. From the very beginning, God has been searching for people. Not because we came to Him first, but because He came to us first. Through Abraham, through Israel, and finally through Jesus. God did not stay far away. He came in the flesh, as a real human being. That is why John finds it so important that we say this clearly.

For You

Sometimes you hear people say strange things about Jesus. On the internet, at school, or through videos. John says: you may test that. You do not have to believe everything just because it sounds interesting. Ask yourself: what does this person say about Jesus?

And then there is that other thing. Loving is not always a nice feeling. Sometimes loving means being patient with your little sister who breaks something of yours. Or greeting the boy in class no one wants to sit next to. You do not have to do that in your own strength. John says God's Spirit lives in you. Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

And if you are sometimes afraid, that God might be angry with you, or afraid of what will come later, remember this: God loved you first. His love drives fear away.

Talk About It

Which is easier for you: to say you love God, or to be kind to someone you find annoying? Why?

John writes that perfect love drives out fear. What are you sometimes afraid of, and does this verse help you? Or do you still have questions about it?

Praying Together

Father, thank You that You loved us first, when we were not even thinking of You. Thank You for Jesus, who really came. Teach us to love the people around us, even when it is hard. And take away our fear, because You are near. Amen.