1 John 4 repeatedly proclaims the heart of the Gospel: God is love.
“By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we know and believe the love God has for us.” (1 John 4:13–16 RSVCE)
Those who abide in His love cannot help but reflect that same love, for the God who is love now lives within them. It is His Holy Spirit dwelling in us who empowers us to love as He loves.
Yet the same apostle who exalts love also commands discernment:
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are of God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit which confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit which does not confess Jesus is not of God. This is the spirit of antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is in the world already.” (1 John 4:1–3 RSVCE)
We are therefore called continually to “test the spirits.” Any voice that denies or distorts the truth that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not from God. In an age when the word “love” has been reduced to a slogan, a meme, or a vague feeling, discernment is more urgent than ever.
True love is not sentimental tolerance that winks at sin; nor is it the shallow unity of popular culture. As long as wars rage and ideologies divide, the world’s counterfeit versions of love stand exposed. Where there is hatred, division, and chaos, love is absent. Authentic love is the unity that flows from confessing Jesus as the incarnate Son of God. It meets people where they are, accepts them in their present state with compassion, yet, like Jesus at the well, gently commands, “Go, and sin no more” (John 8:11).
In our hypersensitive culture it has become risky to speak such blunt, healing truth. We fear being labeled judgmental or hateful simply for calling sin what it is. But love that refuses to warn a brother or sister of danger is not love at all—it is cowardice dressed in kindness.
This chapter appears simple at first glance: God is love; love one another. Yet its depths surpass our natural capacity. Only the Holy Spirit can lift us beyond our sinful selfishness and enable us both to love sincerely and to discern wisely. Apart from His grace, we remain incapable of the very love we claim to champion.
May the Spirit who proceeds from the Father and the Son continually teach us to abide in the love that is God Himself—love that is tender yet truthful, welcoming yet holy, patient yet uncompromising—for only in that love do we truly abide in Him, and He in us.
God Bless 🙏💕
Be Inspired! 
Leave a comment