Overview:
1 John 4:7–21
Of all the things John learned from Jesus during those years he walked alongside Him as one of the disciples, love was paramount. John’s gospel mentions love much more than those of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. When John recalled the Savior’s final words to His disciples in the Upper Room, he remembered how often Jesus both spoke of love and demonstrated it. The power of Jesus’s love transformed John’s life. We should not be surprised, then, that when the apostle came to the end of his life and wrote a letter to the church, his major theme was to love one another. He underscored it repeatedly. As we examine today’s section, we return to the same subject for the third time in this letter. (See also 1 John 2:7-10 and 3:11-18.)
Message Summary:
Message Key Facts:
- The Mind of a Doberman, Heart of a Lamb: Swindoll explains the necessary balance in the Christian life. If one only practices the discernment of 1 John 4:1–6, they become "testy" and suspicious like a Doberman. This must be balanced with the love commanded in verse 7 to remain compassionate.
- The Invisibility of God: Swindoll highlights the startling phrase in verse 12: "No one has seen God at any time." He argues that because God is spirit and invisible, He has chosen to make Himself visible exclusively through the love of His people. The world cannot see God, but they can see Christians; if Christians fail to love, the world is left without a witness of God's nature [17–18].
- The Spirit of Entitlement: Swindoll identifies a "spirit of entitlement" as the enemy of love. He notes that anytime you meet someone who feels they "deserve" certain treatment, you have met someone who has forgotten the Cross. True love flows when a person denies themselves (Luke 9:23) and realizes they are important only because of Christ [16–17].
- Inscribed on His Palms: referencing Isaiah 49:14–16, Swindoll comforts those who feel abandoned. He explains that the word "inscribed" suggests engraving or tattooing. Using an anthropomorphism, God declares He has "tattooed" His children on His palms, meaning they are constantly before His eyes and never forgotten [24–26].
- The Bumper Sticker Parable: Swindoll shares a story about a woman with "What Would Jesus Do?" and "Choose Life" bumper stickers who is arrested for road rage. The police officer assumed the car was stolen because her hateful behavior didn't match the Christian message on her car. This illustrates that the world is watching our behavior, not just reading our labels [19–20].
- Childlike Honesty vs. Adult Veneer: Swindoll contrasts children’s letters to God (which are brutally honest about hating siblings) with adults, who hide their lack of love behind a veneer of sophistication. He urges believers to drop the mask and admit that loving others is impossible without God's help [8–10].
- Two "Nevers": Swindoll distinguishes the Old Testament experience from the New. In the Old Testament (like with Samson), the Spirit could depart. However, believers today are promised:
- God will never forget them (Isaiah 49).
- The Holy Spirit will never be taken away (unlike Psalm 51:11) [23–27].
Message References:
- 1 John 4:7–21: The primary text regarding the command to love, God's nature as love, and the casting out of fear [3–4].
- Isaiah 49:14–16: "See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me" [24–25].
- Luke 9:23: "If anyone will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me" [16–17].
- John 13: Referenced regarding Jesus washing the disciples' feet as an example of reciprocal love.
- Psalm 51:11 & Judges 16:20: Referenced to contrast the temporary indwelling of the Spirit in the Old Testament with the permanent indwelling in the New Testament.
