Faith without religion.
Agape Love and Divine Reflection
In a recent teaching, we explored the profound insights found in the latter part of 1st John 4 and the beginning of 1st John 5, focusing on the theme of love—specifically, Agape love. John emphasizes that our love for God is a response to His love for us, as stated in 1 John 4:19: “We love him, because he first loved us.” This love is not merely a feeling but a call to action, urging believers to love one another as a reflection of their love for God.
The discussion delved into the nuances of the Greek language, highlighting different interpretations of the phrase “we love” and whether it is indicative or subjunctive. Regardless of the grammatical stance, the essence remains that our love is a response to God’s initial love for us.
John challenges believers by stating that claiming to love God while hating a brother is contradictory. He argues that genuine love for God naturally extends to love for others, as seen in 1 John 4:20. This love is not just an ideal but a practical commandment that believers are called to live out.
Moving into 1st John 5, the text reiterates that belief in Jesus as the Christ is a sign of being born of God. This belief is intertwined with love for God and His children, emphasizing that true faith manifests in love and obedience to God’s commandments, which are not burdensome.
The teaching concluded with a reflection on the nature of God’s commandments. While they may seem challenging, they are described as light and manageable compared to the burdens of sin. The journey of faith involves choosing the yoke of Christ, which, though it requires effort, leads to true freedom and peace.
This exploration of John’s epistle invites us to examine our own expressions of love and challenges us to align our actions with the divine love that God has shown us.