Growing in Christian Love

MEMORY VERSE: “And this commandment have we from Him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.” —I John 4:21

I JOHN 4:7-21

CHRISTIAN love is a principle rather than an emotion. It is a principle which expresses itself in seeking the well-being of others, therefore it is unselfishness. Our Heavenly Father is the greatest of all examples of love. We read that “God so loved the world that he gave,” and what he gave was the dearest treasure of his heart, his only begotten Son. (John 3:16) This was an expression of love toward the whole world of mankind, for whosoever believes on his Son will not need to perish, but can have everlasting life.

Verse 10 declares that Jesus became a propitiation, or satisfaction, for our sins, and in chapter 22, verse 2 we are informed that not only is he a propitiation for our sins, but is also a propitiation for the sins of the whole world. Many overlook this, taking for granted that the only ones who will ever benefit from God’s loving gift of his Son are those who in this life believe on him and become his footstep followers.

John 3:16 emphasizes that “whosoever believeth” will receive life, but many fail to understand that the vast majority of mankind will receive their opportunity to believe during the Millennial or Kingdom Age. For this to be possible they will need to be awakened from the sleep of death. In I Timothy 2:3-6 Paul speaks of this as being “saved,” not eternally, but awakened from death so that they may receive a knowledge of God’s grace through Christ as it will then be “testified” to them. Paul wrote, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave him self a ransom for all, to be testified [to all] in due time.”

This testimony concerning the love of God, expressed through his Son, reaches a limited number during the Gospel Age; that is, those to whom are given “hearing ears.” The message has, of course, gone out in a general way to all mankind. But the vast majority are blinded by “the god of this world,” and thereby are prevented from appreciating its real and wonderful meaning.—II Cor. 4:4

However, during the Millennial Age Satan will be bound, and will no longer be able to deceive and blind the minds of the people. (Rev. 20:1-3) The knowledge of the Lord will then fill the earth as the waters cover the sea. (Isa. 11:9) Then, for the first time, the people generally will have a genuine opportunity to believe, and to receive thereby the benefits of God’s great love. Then, “whosoever will” may come “and take the water of life freely.”—Rev. 22:17

Those who hear and appreciate the Gospel of love during the present age are invited to lay down their lives in sacrifice as Jesus did. And if the love of God and of Christ really reaches into their hearts they are happy to do this. Paul wrote, “The love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”—II Cor. 5:14,15

“There is no fear in love,” John wrote. Fear of what God may do to us is not the proper motive for serving him. Those who profess belief in Christ through fear of eternal torture are not scripturally motivated. It is only if we are drawn to the Lord by his love, and by love are prompted to sacrifice our lives in his service, that we will be acceptable to him. And having this love, it will manifest itself toward God, toward his people, and toward the whole world of mankind.

QUESTIONS

What is Christian love?

Did Jesus become a propitiation for the sins of the world as well as for his followers?

When will the world in general receive their opportunity to believe on Jesus?

Is fear a proper motive for serving the Lord?

| Home Page | Table of Contents |