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Bible Notes - Tabernacle Commentaries
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1 John 4:11
Comments
God’s love has been made known partly so that we may imitate it. It is our example not only in how we are to love, but who we are to love. John is writing to believers. We do not choose who to love but we let God choose for us. We cannot fathom God’s choice, but we need to trust his wisdom without hesitation, and therefore we make it our goal to love every one of those who are called by him, regardless of personal attraction. We love them with an eternal commitment to them, for we will be everlasting companions. We love them as those who are undergoing a mutual transformation by the sanctification of God, as those who are fellow travellers to heaven and who must love each other even though the process of transformation is not yet complete. We see something of Christ in each other, but we also see things that belong to the old nature in ourselves and in other believers. Love should not find it too hard to overcome this, for the love of God was shown to us when we were yet dead, and all good in us lay hidden in the future.
Application
This example of perfect love has been made known to us for good reason. God explains how much he has done for us so that we reflect on the magnitude of his love. God’s love is never wasted, and if such love has been poured out on us, then since he does nothing without eternal forethought, we conclude that he has everlasting wonders in store for his people.
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