1 John 4:16 Commentary

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1 John 4:16

Comments

This verse relates back to what is said in verses 8-10. God’s love has not been manifested to all men, but only to those who have been given spiritual eyes to see it. But how can individuals be sure of the love of God towards them without a special revelation from heaven? Scripture nowhere publishes a list of those who are saved. How can tiny insignificant human beings, who are lost in obscurity in the immensity of the universe, convince themselves that God cares personally for them out of the vast mass of mankind? The world calls this presumption and the kind of thinking that self-obsessed human beings are so prone to. But John could not say this unless we could be certain of it, since doubtful knowledge is worth nothing. The answer is that our faith has appropriated the promises of God made to sinners in general, and God assures those that believe that their faith has obtained salvation for them. Furthermore, God works changes in the hearts of his children which he does not work in the children of the world. Seeing this, God’s children have known and believed that Christ died for them personally.

Application

We live in a world where thousands are perishing all around us, and it seems that on account of sin God has assigned the entire creation to death and destruction. Only the assurance that God has set his love upon us as individuals can persuade us that we will not perish with the rest.

Not only is the believer loved by God but he reflects upon and enjoys the love of God towards him, and it is God’s will that we should do so, for God wants us to have conscious enjoyment of his love. No one who loves wants his love to remain a secret, but desires the one he loves to bask in and feel safe in that love. God’s love towards us brings with it wonderful gifts that we have seen, but the awareness of it also assures us of many future gifts which we have not yet seen. To be loved by one whose power is greater than all and who has infinite capacity and skill to express that love is heaven to us, and makes us unafraid to face eternity.

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1 John 4:16 Commentary and Bible Study