Paul McKenzie

Memory Verse, Sunday Review, September 14, 1 John 4:17-21

"This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love him because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister." (NIV)

This week, we have finished chapter 4, which is one of the longest discourses in the New Testament dealing with the "New Commandment": To "Love one another as I have loved you" (John 13:34)

I've mentioned that it is easy to lump all the Scriptures into one period, but it is important to realize that this letter was probably written a half-century later than the Upper Room Discourse in John 13-17, and still, in the Last Disciple's mind, this is the primary message he brings to the church.

One of the reasons it is easy to do this is because of the consistency of the Gospel writers. Through Christ we have new revelation, and He sent this group of apostles with the keys to open the "Gospel Door" to the world. And that revelation spoke of a New Birth, which gives all who believe reconciliation to God, and the power to become the sons of God (John 1, John 3).

They are "new creations" (2 Corinthians 5), and given the power to be free from the "Law of sin and death" by "the Law of the Spirit of God in Christ Jesus." And one of the chief, most telling characteristics of believers is their love for one another.

We find that love is not a suggestion, it is a command. It is a distinct aspect of a true believer, yet it is something that only God can give. And we find that, we love because of His initial love for us. And when we set our affections on Him, we find that love reflecting in us. We've been given the gift, and now we learn how to display it in both word and deed.

He's given us a "school" to teach us through our local assemblies, which we call "churches". But in reality, we are the actual "church". The places we meet are just buildings. As much as I love the beauty of some of those elaborate cathedrals, it breaks my heart that many were built by extracting hard-earned money from the poor, neglecting their livelihood for cold, impractical showcases.

Yet, even in spite of that, the real church within, even in those times were the first to build places to house the poor, the orphaned, and the sick. What better work could have been done if the expense wasted on those buildings could have helped more.

The church was taken over by unbelievers who saw profit. Nothing has changed in that, just the profit stream has shifted from stone buildings to auditoriums and music. We've lost our way, neglecting the Love of God for Love of money and fame.

But we are rebounding. True believers see through the worldly haze of compromise, and are focusing again on the love of God. The unbelievers are "deconstructing", a fancy term for "They went out from us, for they were not of us." (1 John 2:19). This is because the Holy Spirit is speaking to the hearts of the children of God, and showing us that it takes a complete commitment to God above all things, and that is shown and reflected in our love for each other and our neighbors.

Truthful love. Uncompromising love. Love that the world hates, because it exposes their darkness. Love that makes haters of God want to kill those who show that love. A love that has no fear of this life, because we see from an eternal perspective. We realize that this life is but a vapor, that appears and vanishes away (James 4). Love enclosed in clay pots, waiting to explode into the glorious Presence of the Most High God.

So, do not fear. Instead, turn your hearts toward heaven. And if you do not know this eternal Love, yet sense that longing to be filled, turn to Him this day! And find a good fellowship of believers who are learning to love as He loves.

Today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.

Memory Helps:

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.' (KJV)