DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
1 John 4:12-19 (9/26) Epistle at the Repose of John the
Apostle, Evangelist, & Theologian
Caveats on Love: 1 John 4:12-19, especially vs. 19: “We love Him because He first loved us.” In
the present passage from
1) “...the Father has sent the Son as
Savior of the world” (vs. 14).
After associating as intimates of the Lord Jesus, for three years and
witnessing, and experiencing His Passion and Resurrection, the Apostles were
illumined by the Holy Spirit concerning Christ’s Divine nature. Both relationship with the Incarnate One
and illumination by the Spirit created their testimony.
2) “...we have known and believed the
love that God has for us” (vs. 16). The Apostles knew the love that God has
for all mankind because they were loved by Christ our God Himself, enabling
John to write, “...having loved His own...He loved them to the end”
(Jn. 13:1).
3) “God is love...” (1 Jn. 4:16) as John says concisely. He was enabled to speak in this terse
and defining manner on the basis of prolonged association with the Lord
Jesus. In turn, time spent closely
with Jesus produced enlightenment - an illumination that led to a dual
revelation: that Jesus is God; and that God’s nature is love. God’s love is embodied and known
in and through the words, acts, and life of the Lord Jesus (vs. 16). 'Abiding' was the way they learned, and
abiding is the way you and I learn - by remaining with the God
Who is love (vs. 16).
4) “Whoever confesses that Jesus is
the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God” (vs. 15). You and I confessed Jesus as King and
God in the Baptismal Mystery when we each united our self to Him and bowed down
before Him. God abides in us, and
we in Him.
5) “Love has been perfected among
us....because as He is, so are we in this world” (vs. 17). Love is perfected, that is, love is
completed in us by being and remaining united to Christ.
6) “...he who abides in love abides
in God, and God in him”(vs.
16). Abiding may be translated as
remaining. Choose to remain close
to Him where He is present - in the Church.
7) “We love Him because He first
loved us” (vs. 19). Love
won the Disciples and made them His Apostles; and Love draws us until we return
His love. It cannot be otherwise,
for then...
8) “...we abide in Him, and He in us,
because He has given us of His Spirit” (vs. 13). As created human beings, our present
spiritual union with the Person of Christ is the work of the Holy Spirit, and
naturally results in our loving others.
What must never be forgotten is that to abide in Him we must give His
love to others. God’s love
cannot stop with us, for...
9) “If we love one another, God
abides in us...” (vs. 12); and if we do not, God’s love does
not touch nor remain with us. As
our Lord taught: forgive to be forgiven, for God forgives our trespasses as we
forgive those who trespass against us.
Thus...
10) “...His love has been perfected
in us” (vs. 12).
“Perfected” means “completed,” as on a
construction project. To be
complete we must give complete love to others, even enemies, then,...
11) “...we may have boldness in the
day of judgment...” (vs. 17), but only if we do our
part to maintain union with Christ and love, as did the Apostles and the Saints
before us.
12) “There is no fear in love; but
perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment” (vs.
18). Why suffer torment that is
eternal in relation to God?! Love
now, in this life and Perfect Love Himself will rid us of fear and will fill us
with His love eternally. Amen!
O Lord, Who hast taught us that all our
doings without love are worth nothing, send Thy Holy Spirit and pour into our
hearts the gift of love, without which we are dead before Thee.
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