1 John 4
In
today’s culture we seem to struggle with the concepts of love and permissiveness. If we say that a behavior is wrong or sinful
we are accused of being intolerant, phobic, or even bigoted.
Truth be told, it may be that sometimes
we are those things. We are, after all,
self-confessed sinners. We don’t always
do right in our relationships with others, and we are sometimes driven by fear
of the unknown and unfamiliar, just as are all people. This requires wisdom and confession as we
live by God’s grace. Yet, love often says,
“No,” not because of fear but because it is actually the loving thing to
do.
In 1 John 4 the apostle reminds us that
the antichrist is real and is active in our world. In denying that Jesus, “has come in the flesh,”
he denies that Jesus is savior and lord.
He speaks from the world’s authority, and those who are of the world and
deny Jesus’ lordship nod their heads in agreement with the antichrist. Therefore when we speak God’s Word against
the antichrist and the world – when we stand up for God’s Truth – the charge is
leveled that we are unloving and, therefore, un-Christian. Sadly, many Christians have bought this lie
that love is permissive.
Love rejoices in the truth, and is
rooted in God’s love for us. It is of
extreme importance that John says, “In this is love, not that we have loved God
but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” The ultimate expression of love is that
although God was horrified by our sin He did not overlook it, pretend it didn’t
matter, or condone it. He paid for it.
A propitiation is a sin offering. It is the blood sacrifice given on the altar
to pay for our sins. Jesus loved us so
much that He gave His blood to pay for our guilt.
True love looks at sin and calls it
sin. It testifies, “This is wrong.” Yet, at the same time, it embraces the person
who sins – a sinner just like me and you – and holds out the passionate love of
Jesus saying, “There is no sin so great that Jesus’ blood cannot atone for it. Turn from the lies of the world and
antichrist and come to the truth. God is
love. Look to the cross and you will
see.”
O Lord, strengthen me to love others as You
have loved me. Amen.
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