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1 John 4

Ryan Provines
11/19/23 - Podcast

And now, a minute with the Word…

In 1 John Chapter 4, John tells his readers that they should not believe every teacher that they hear. But, he said, trust those who believe in the incarnation of God in the form of Jesus Christ. The readers should not believe anyone who professes otherwise.

John reminded his readers in 1 John Chapter 4 that they are children of God, and they will prevail over the false prophets who are not of God, but belong to the world.

He then encouraged his readers to love each other because their love comes from God. He said that if a person loves, they belong to God. Love, after all, was the reason that God sent Jesus so He could atone for the sins of the world. If God loved humankind that way, then humankind should love each other.

John also said that though no one has ever seen God, He will live in those who love each other and that this love is made perfect. So this way people live in God, and God lives in His people. God’s people know that Jesus came to redeem the world. God lives in whoever believes and professes this.

John also said in 1 John Chapter 4 that fear and love cannot exist together. Love rejects fear because fear causes pain and that prevents love from being perfected. He told his readers that he and they love God because God loved them first.

He went on to say that a man cannot say he hates his brother but loves God. John said that a man cannot hate his brother, who he sees every day, but love God, who he has never seen. He reminded his readers that the call to love one’s brother is also a commandment from God because if a person loves God, he must love his brother as well.