Podcast-Feed7th February 2010 - Tim Davies - Let Us Love One Another
1 John 4:7-12
‘Dear friends let’s love one another’
Here is a very simple passage to understand but profound in it’s theological basis and implications. The story is told that John would preach only this message (let’s love one another) as an old man. Having been with Jesus (see 1 John 1:1) John realised that this was the greatest commandment Jesus had given.
John encourages us to love one another by giving us a profound theological truth (God is love v8), a deeply moving example (God sent his only son v 8) and a motivating outcome (the world sees something of God as we love one another v 12).
“Most people are bothered by those passages in the Bible that they do not understand, but the passages that bother me are the ones I do understand.” Mark Twain
Questions …
1 ‘God is Love’ – this is a very profound statement though it looks very simple! How is it different to saying ‘God is loving’ or ‘God is loveable’?
2 Does the fact that God is community (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) – always dwelling in perfect unity in himself – affect how we see the statement ‘God is Love’?
3 Why should the example of God’s love for us in giving Jesus motivate us to love one another? Does it? How can we make sure it does?
4 How does our loving one another help the world see God?
5 Are there ways that we as a group could love and support one another more? Is there anyone not here because of difficulties that we could help in some way or let them know of our love?
6 How do we stop our love becoming just words and not being in truth and action as John insists (1 John 3 v 18)?
Listen now! (0:38min / 10MB)