Why is loving others evidence of being "born of God" and knowing Him? Text in Focus “Beloved, let us love one another, for love comes from God; everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” — 1 John 4:7 Why Love Reveals Spiritual Birth • Spiritual birth produces a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26), enabling what the old nature could not—genuine, self-giving love. • Love is not merely commanded; it is implanted. Being “born of God” means sharing His life, so His love naturally flows out (1 John 3:9). • A believer’s life becomes living proof that divine life is present within. God’s Own Nature Reproduced • “God is love” (1 John 4:8). When His Spirit indwells, His character is reproduced. • The child inevitably mirrors the parent; in the same way, God’s children mirror His core attribute. • Absence of love contradicts His nature and exposes spiritual imposture (1 John 4:20; 3:10). Love as the Family Resemblance • John’s language of being “born” invokes family imagery. In every family, shared traits mark genuine offspring. • How do outsiders recognize God’s family? By the shared trait of sacrificial love (John 13:34-35). Fruit of the Spirit on Display • “The fruit of the Spirit is love…” (Galatians 5:22). • Fruit is organic evidence, not artificial decoration; it grows because the tree is alive. • Where love blossoms, the Spirit’s presence is unmistakable. Obedience to Christ’s Command • Jesus: “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). • Keeping His command demonstrates knowing Him relationally (John 15:14), not just intellectually. • Love moves from confession of faith to concrete action (1 John 3:17-18). A Test that Exposes False Claims • John pens these words to counter false teachers who boasted superior knowledge yet lacked love. • Genuine knowledge of God produces transformation; mere slogans do not (Titus 1:16). • Love, then, serves as a visible test separating true believers from pretenders. Power Supplied by the Indwelling Spirit • “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). • Natural affection can imitate love, but only the Spirit empowers cross-carrying, enemy-embracing love (Matthew 5:44). • This supernatural source confirms the believer’s new birth and ongoing fellowship with God. Practical Outflow: What This Love Looks Like – Preferring others’ welfare over personal comfort (Philippians 2:3-4) – Meeting tangible needs (James 2:15-17) – Forgiving as we have been forgiven (Ephesians 4:32) – Welcoming brothers and sisters across cultural or social lines (Romans 12:10-13) – Speaking truth graciously (Ephesians 4:15) – Persevering in kindness under provocation (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) Summary Loving others is evidence of being born of God and knowing Him because love is God’s own nature reproduced in His children, the family resemblance that marks them, the Spirit’s fruit displayed, obedience to Christ’s central command, and the reliable test distinguishing authentic faith from empty claims. Where this love flourishes, the reality of new birth and genuine knowledge of God stands confirmed. |
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