"19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother." 1 John 4:19-21

1. Remember and Reflect...

9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that I have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:9-10

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

“The Christian’s battle in this media age can be won only by the expulsive power of a superior Spectacle. Christ is our safety and our guide in the age of competing spectacles, the age of social media. He is our only hope in life and death, in the age to come, and in this media age.” Tony Reinke, Competing Spectacles: Treasuring Christ in the Media Age

2. Repent and Reconcile...

16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18

“This theology that we have sold people in America, that tells them only how to get to heaven, but does not show them how to live with their brother and their sister on earth is inadequate and thoroughly unbiblical.” Pastor Charlie Dates, “I Can’t Breathe” (May 31, 2020)

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:12-14

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1. When you consider God’s initiating love, what stands out to you?

2. Why is a love for God incompatible with not loving (ie. hating) your neighbor?

3. What interferes or keeps you from loving others well?

4. How does 1 John 4:19-21 apply to your upcoming week?