What can we learn from 1 John 4:7, “Beloved, let us love one another”?

Response

In 1 John 4:7–8, the apostle John advises believers, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (NKJV). God is love «The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love. », (1 John 4:8), and those who have received forgiveness and salvation from Him reflect His love. Believers will impact the world by demonstrating God’s love to others, and this should start with the beloved following the instruction to love one another.

John refers to believers as the “beloved.” Referring to believers as “beloved” reminds us of God’s sacrificial love «For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. », (John 3:16). A believer acknowledges their sinfulness, understands that Jesus bore the punishment for their sins on the cross, and then rose again, putting their faith in Jesus alone for salvation «Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. », (Acts 4:12). They know they are truly loved by God, and their life is transformed «Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. », (2 Corinthians 5:17). A believer receives the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation, along with a new ability to love as Christ loves «and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. »

, (Romans 5:5).

Jesus taught His disciples, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Then He added, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35). People don’t naturally love with a godly, 1 Corinthians 13-type of love. To love like that, there must be a change of heart. A distinguishing mark of a follower of Christ is a deep, sincere love for brothers and sisters in Christ. True believers love not only “with words or speech but with actions and in truth” «My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. », (1 John 3:18).

There are several “one another” commands in Scripture revealing what it looks like to love one another. Believers are called to be at peace with one another «Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.», (Mark 9:50), be of the same mind as one another (Romans 12:6;Romans 15:5), have patience with one another and forgive one another «and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.», (Ephesians 4:32), bear one another’s burdens «Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. », (Galatians 6:2), speak the truth to one another «Wherefore putting away lying, s

Speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.” (Ephesians 4:25). Pray for one another, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16), and demonstrate other qualities of the Spirit. Indeed, believers are urged to love one another multiple times (John 13:34;John 15:12,17;Romans 13:8;1 Thessalonians 3:12;1 Thessalonians 4:9;1 Peter 1:22;1 John 3:11;1 John 4:7,11;2 John 5) and are practically taught what that love entails. It is this sacrificial love that reveals God’s nature to the world, with the hope that others will repent and encounter God’s love and forgiveness.

Believers can follow God’s Word and love one another through the Holy Spirit’s empowerment. A believer demonstrates Christ’s unconditional, sacrificial, and forgiving love to fellow believers, but doesn’t stop there. They also extend Christ’s love to friends, family members, co-workers, and even enemies (Leviticus 19:18;Matthew 5:43-48;Romans 13:10). God’s love motivates believers to love one another.