1 John 4:17 (ESV)
By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.
To say that John has something to say about “love” and our relationship with God and other believers would be a large understatement. He has made and is making some significant statements about love already, as well as moving forward in the book. Note that John three times talks about Love:
1. 1John 2:7-11 - Love is proof of true fellowship
2. 1 John 3:10-17 - Love is proof of sonship
3. 1John 4:7-21 - Love is proof of no condemnation
a) God is love; it is perfect - 4:7-8
b) God expresses perfect love in Christ - 4:9-11
C) God perfects His perfect love in us as we love others 4:12-21
In this last set of verses on love, John wants us to know that God is perfecting His love in us. The word for “perfect” in John’s letter is the Greek word for “completing.” God is more and more completing His love in us as we love others. This is, according to the above verse, where we can find our confidence. As we abide in Christ we demonstrate love to those around us. That demonstration is the proof we need that Christ love abides in us. If you fill a glass with water you have proof that the water is in the glass as you drink it and/or pour it out. If you fill a believer with God’s love the proof that the love is in there is when it is poured out on to others. That is John’s point.
That is also why we have “confidence” during the time of judgment. Our love for others and demonstration love for others shows we are “like” Christ. That is the evidence. God treats us just like He treats His Son, because we have His Son’s love manifested in us. Our confidence before God comes from the fact that God treats us like His Son by manifested the Son’s love for others into our lives. This is John’s version of the Fruit of the Spirit. Paul tells us that we will be like Jesus as we allow the Spirit of God to produce the Spirit’s fruit in us (Galatians 5). John tells us we will be like Jesus if we allow God’s love (manifested in our lives by the Spirit) to show forth.
Demonstrating love to others pleases God. Demonstrating love to others proves our sonship with God. He treats us like the children of God. Demonstration love to others gives us great confidence in the day of judgment. Christ love in us is being perfected (being made complete) as we love others. But, it is also giving us a confidence in our own relationship with the Father.
Loving others builds our own confidence before God!
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