The Right Kind of Love

1 John 7-17

Love is a sign of genuine rebirth into the Kingdom of God through Jesus Christ. In our society, a biblical love is the most counter-cultural, Spirit saturated proof that you are in a saving relationship with Jesus. Let me remind you of what Paul told the Corinthians who had placed signs and wonders above the Great Commandment to love God and love people. In 1 Cor. 13:1-3 “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

Love is a Commandment (vv.7-8) The word “beloved” that John uses six times throughout this passage is a term of endearment, one of love, and concern. I would dare say that John is continually reminding these churches to love. It doesn’t take long after being a Christian for a short time for us to become judgmental, complacent, and self-consumed. We have to be reminded to fan the flame of love that the Holy Spirit gives us the power to do. The Commandment which is in the OT found in Lev. 19:18 and Deut. 6:5, was restated by Jesus in Matt. 22:34-40 paraphrased to love God and love people, also known as the Great Commandment. Jesus states it again in John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”