Dig Deeper
In 1 John 3:23 John writes, “And he that keeps His
commandments dwells in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abides in
us, by the Spirit which He has given us.” Similarly, in 1 John 4:16 John
concludes, “And we have known and believed that love that God has to us. God is
love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God and God in him.” Many Bible
scholars refer to such repetition of the same or similar statements as an inclusio. John frequently uses this
literary device to emphasize major themes. In this case it is the theme of
God’s abiding love in us.
In 1 John the apostle makes two declarative
statements about the nature of God. First, “God is light” (1 John 1:5) and
second, “God is love” (1 John 4:8, and 16). In context here “light” refers to
God’s holiness, as verse five concludes, “and in Him is no darkness at all.” What insights are gleaned from the following
Scriptures as to the necessity of affirming both God’s love and holiness?
The
love of God (Zephaniah 3:17; John 3:16; Romans 5:8; Galatians
2:20; Ephesians 2:4-5; 3:17-19; 1 John 4:7-8, 9-11, and 16)--
The
holiness of God (Psalm 99:9; Isaiah 5:16; 6:3; Habakkuk 1:13; John
17:11; 1 Peter 1:16; 1 John 1:5; and Revelation 4:8)--
How does the doctrine of propitiation affirm God’s love and holiness?
Romans 3:24-26--
1 John 2:2 and 4:10--
Application
In his book We
Become What We Worship, author Greg Beale observes, “What people revere,
they resemble… our worship exposes us and changes us.”[1]
This is consistent with John’s assertion, “But we know that when He shall
appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2). How
might a distorted view of God, minimizing either His love or holiness, have a
negative effect on your character? How is the Holy Spirit impressing you to
deepen your knowledge of God’s character revealed in His Word?
Memorize This
1 John 4:11 We love Him, because He first loved us.
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