1 John 4:7–21

Explore the Bible
Assistant Professor of Christian Ministries, University of Mobile

Real Love

1 John 4:7–21

Seen in the Son (7–11)

Love is an indispensable characteristic of the Christian life. So much so that John exhorts his readers to “love one another” (v. 7). 

Loving fellow Christians shows “one has been born of God and knows God” (v. 7). Paul calls this a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). But what if someone has no love for his brother? John says such a person “does not know God” (v. 8). 

Echoing John 3:16, John now displays a picture of true love: “God loved us and sent his Son as the mercy seat for our sins” (v. 10). 

Under the Old Covenant the “mercy seat” was the place where, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest sprinkled the blood of a sacrificial bull and goat, making atonement for the sins of Israel (Lev. 16:13–14; Heb. 9:7). This event was later fulfilled when God the Father initiated the New Covenant by sending Jesus, His Son and great high priest, to shed his blood so as to pay the penalty (to atone) for sins (Heb. 7:26–27; 9:11–12). 

The sending of Jesus was an act of selfless love for humanity — one that preceded our own love for God (v. 10), for before Jesus’ arrival we were still His enemies (Rom. 5:10).

God the Father, then, is the example of the kind of love we are to display toward fellow Christians — selfless and without prejudice. As God did not withhold his love from us, neither should we withhold it from others.

Perfected by the Spirit (12–15)

The Holy Spirit makes it possible for believers to persist in loving one another. He also makes sure believers hold fast to their saving confession — that Jesus is the Son of God (v. 15), the King over creation (Ps. 2). 

It is assuring to know that God has sent his Spirit into our hearts (Gal. 4:6–7), seeing to it that we cling to Jesus.

Defined by the Father (16–18)

Christians — those who remain in God’s love — have the confidence they will prevail in the day of judgment. This is the day when God calls the living and the dead to stand before Him (Rev. 20). Christians have no reason to fear this event. They should instead look forward to it with eager expectation, knowing the King will declare them righteous.

Unbelievers, on the other hand, should fear the coming judgment. For them there will be a guilty verdict leading to eternal punishment (1 John 4:18; Rev. 20).

Imitated by His People (19–21)

What if someone claims to love God and hates his brother? John says such a person “is a liar,” because in reality the love of God is not in him (v. 20). As Jesus says, “By this all people will know you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).

Let believers, then, continue to love their brothers in Christ — not fearing the judgment but looking forward to their future vindication.