1 John 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. Observe clearly this line of thought. "If God so loved us, we ought also so to love Him." That is the first plain inference. But how? There is only one way — "loving one another." To love God as He is, in Himself, is an abstract thing. This is only a feeling. To "love one another" in Him, and Him in "one another," is action, and love is action, and action tests reality. "We ought" — we are under a debt to love one another. God's love has placed us under this obligation. Whom are we to "love"? "One another." Who is "one another"? All the great brotherhood; in the family of God. And if it be asked, What! all? All! The poorest, the meanest, the most wicked, the vilest? Find your answer in that "us"; or rather, for so each one of us ought to do — in the "me," which goes to make the "us." But "to love one another" — one another! It is, by reciprocity, not only to love, but to be loved. Now, am I wrong in thinking that to some of us it is a harder thing to consent to be loved than it is to love? There is a feeling of superiority in being kind to a person. It is pleasant to nature. It is a sort of patronising. But to receive kindnesses, especially from some persons, is an act of great humiliation. But you must love, and be loved, if you would fulfil the duty. You must so speak and act as to make yourself lovable to everybody. But there is a little word in the text which teaches us great lessons. "God so loved us." How did God love us? That is our copy. 1. I notice that God's love was originating love. He completely took the initiative. We should do the same — not wait to be loved. 2. And I notice that God's love is a wise and thoughtful love. Our love is often very unwise and unthoughtful. There is very little mind in it; no consideration; therefore our love often does harm where it is meant to do good. God's love is so carefully, so exquisitely adjusted. It is so very wise. 3. And God's love, tender as it is, is always faithful. So far as reproof is faithful, God's love is faithful. An unfaithful love is worse than hatred; and I may say very unlike God's! 4. And God's love is self-sacrificing love. "He spared not His own Son." 5. And God's love is never capricious. It never changes, except to deepen. Is your love so? Concerning love, let me further observe this — God always looks to the reflection of Himself in all His creatures. He expects to find the image of one or other of His attributes. If He finds it not, He passes unsatisfied. If He finds it, He "rests." There He is content. Many different gifts and graces reflect different parts of the character of God; but God reflects all. Love gives back God to Himself, for "God is love." 6. And love is the atmosphere of heaven. We are all to love now, that we may be ready to go forward. (J. Vaughan, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.WEB: Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another. |
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