“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.”
that we might live through Him
The word “that” expresses purpose. Without God’s purpose of sending His unique Son, the one-and-only Son, into the world to save us, we would be spiritually lost and subject to the Second Death, eternal death.
John sets the word “live” in stark contrast to the idea of spiritual death. This is to live in the absolute sense—to live forever with God. God loved us so that we could experience eternal life, His life. God loved us that we might eternally live. Physical life came through creation, but spiritual life comes through the death of Christ.
PRINCIPLE:
God fully manifested His unconditional love to us at Calvary.
APPLICATION:
The full manifestation of God’s love is Calvary. We need no more proof than this. We can see God’s love clearly in the cross. The motive for our love is this love of God. Whoever loves as God loves, proves that he is a child of God.
Grant, I’ve been enjoying your commentaries in I John now for the past 3-4 months. I really like how you break each verse down in detail. It’s taking me a long time to get through it. But I’m thrilled, as it’s the first time I’ve done a Bible study on my own that I truly look forward to doing every morning….& not just doing it because I feel like I should be.
However, a reoccurring question prevails. I grew up in a strong Christian home & have believed all these years that we are to love our fellowman, which also includes nonbelievers. Since God made each one of us, we are to love them, even if we don’t approve or like what they do. Hate the sin, love the sinner type thing. We don’t love what they do,or get caught up in it, but we’re to love them because that they too are children of God. Or are they, in your opinion?
Your comments on I John indicate we are to love our fellow CHRISTIANS. But what about all the others? Is it because John’s words were directed towards fellow believers, & they had enough problems among themselves, that he didn’t even discuss how to treat the nonbelievers?
It’s something I’ve had a hard time trying to understand, so I’m hoping you can clarify it for me. Thank you for your time.
Just to let you know…..the commentary on I John 4:9b appears twice & I’m not finding the last phrase: “that we might live through Him”, which I assume would be 9c. I’m guessing it’s simply an oversight, unless it’s just my computer for some reason.
Blessings to you Grant & all you do. I understand your cancer is in remission, Praise the Lord….& that you’ve been celebrating life in some pretty spirited “wet” ways. Glad you’re able to do it.
Thanks again for you help,
Bev
Bev,
Thanks for the heads up about 1 Jn 3:9c. I have made the correction and 3:9c is now up.
The reason that love for the lost does not appear that much in 1 Jn is the argument of 1 Jn revolves around loving God and fellow believers. Other passage from other books challenge us to love the lost. Our primary love for the lost has to do with one-way love rather than rapport love. God loved the world with one-way love.
That trip down the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon was something else. We had 140 rapids with some ranked the highest (10). We had a Christian geologist with us who enlightened us on the Genesis Flood. Almost everyone on the trip had an earned doctorate or working on one. We also climbed the canyon for long distances at time. It was an 8-day trip.
The cancer was contained to the prostate so I am in good shape.
Good to hear from you.