The Father & Son as the supreme objects of its affection is a unity founded on which we can be perfected in love that cast out fear & to love others fearlessly. God's love can illuminate perfectly in every human relationship as shown in perfect triangle. The two people in the relationship is at the base with the love of Jesus at the middle & God is at the top. As they draw closer to the top getting close to the Lord! This is how we can magnify the love of God. Love has been perfected. Does not just use the idea of maturity and completeness but speaking of Love that is perfectly perfected and completely complete. Tell your neighbor: BEHOLD YOUR GOD
I. Introduction: Adam was created in the image & likeness of God. an Image that has been defaced but not destroyed by the Fall, that they still have the capacity to love. A kind of love that the Lord Jesus said, that it is not perfected in love that can cast out fear.
II. Message: John wrote to assure his readers of genuine fellowship with God through Jesus Christ. He wanted to establish them in the fullness of Joy that comes through that fellowship. And to do so, John develops severl different themes in his letter. As we start, I would like to begin by drawing your attention to two of these themes, the first being the perfection of God's love, & the second being the "confidence" a boldness before God's throne that comes from that perfection of love. Here observe:
A. Herein is our love made perfect
1. The word PERFECT is whole, complete & matured. Here observe how this perfect love dscribed in 1 Cor 13:4-8, as part of the law of spiritual progression. BELIEVE, RESPECT, PROTECTION & TRUST. That true love is always demonstrated by action, not by lips. Read my heart not my tongue.
a.) Positive aspect:
a-1) It is longsuffering and kind. If God's love is in us, we will show longsuffering to those who annoy & hurt us. A wonderful measure of kindness is to see how children receive us. Children won't receive from or respond to unkind people.
a-2) Rejoices in the truth. Love can always stand with an on truth, because love is pure & good like truth.
a-3) Bears all things - An unfailing love for one another, because love covers multitude of sins.
a-4) Believes all things. Love as far as we can, believe those whom we know that are honest.
a-5) Hopes all things. It hopes fo the best and it hopes in God.
a-6) Endures all things. The greatness of agape love is it keeps on bearing, believing & hoping. It doesn't give up. It destroys enemies by turning them into friends.
a-7) It never fails. Give emphasiz more on love than the gifts, because the gifts are temporary "containers" of God's work, but love is the work itself.
b) Negative aspect:
b-1) It does not envy. They are ever willing that others should be promoted before them.
b-2) It's not self-seeking (parade itself). Love gives because it loves to give, not out of the sense of praise it can have from showing itself off.
b-3) Does not think evil. Does not store up the memory of any wrong it has received. Love will put away the hurts of the past instead of clinging to them.
2. Love is the essence of the message of the Christian gospel.
a) Redemptive plan. It begins with God's love for us. That is the very essence of His nature.
a-1) John 3:16 "For God so loved the world"
a-2) 1 John 4:7 "Love is of God and every one that loveth is born of God and knows God.
a-3) 1 John 4:8 "If you don't love you don't know God, for God is love'
a-4) 1 John 4:9 "God's love is manifested to us by His sending His Son, to be the propitiation for our sins. that we might live through Him.
3. How is our love made perfect? By the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in regeneration.
a) By God dwelling in us. 1 John 4:12, "No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:16, "God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect."
b) How can we know that God dwelling in us? 1 John 4:13, Hereby know that we dwell in him, and he in us. because he hath given us of his Spirit.
b-1) Fruit test. Now the fruit of the Spirit is love
b-2) Manifestation. This is by far the greatest evidence that we are filled with the Spirit. Not that we speak in tongues or can work miracles or prophecy, but that we have love for God & for the breathren. 1 John 4:19, We love him because he first loved us.
B. THERE IS NO FEAR IN LOVE.
1. What kind of fear is this? In the Bible, the Word fear takes on the definition that is suggested by the context where you find the word. Consider just four kinds of fear:
a) Deep concern for the spiritual welfare of others. 2 Cor 11:3.
b) Respect shown for one in an authoritative role. Eph. 5:33
That God that through the gospel plan, love can be perfected reach it's goal) in our life, thus eliminating thaat despair and dread of expected punishment, putting in it's placle, boldness in the day of judgment! Such teachings in God's Word should be esteemed with the most sober attention & application.