Big Idea - John instructs us here that those who know God should love each other because God is love. But we do not have to look very far to find churches torn apart by strife and conflict, missionaries who return home because of problems and deep hurt caused by teammates or their sending organization, and Christian marriages shattered by resentment and deeply fractured relationships. Love is certainly not easy or automatic. Yet, John holds up this expectation and high calling for every person who claims to be a follower of Christ. Why do we have such a hard time loving each other, and what can we do to fulfill this most basic and vital call of the Christian life?

First, John reminds us that God Himself is the only source and supply of love. Love begins with God because God is love - it is not just something He does but who He is in His very being. If we are to learn how to love well, then we must understand the heart of God. We use love quite broadly, but love, as it is displayed in the character and activity of God, is a relationship where one seeks the best and ultimate good of the other person, even if it means sacrifice, regardless of who the person is or what they have done to deserve such care and concern. This is seen supremely in God sending His only Son, the greatest possible sacrifice He could make, to restore His enemies to a right relationship with Himself. This is the most remarkable example and demonstration of love. This is what love is, and this is what we are called to do, first in our relationships with each other as the body of Christ and then towards the lost world.

But, this cannot be accomplished by simply trying harder. It is not enough to set this standard of love as our goal and just do it. John also reminds us that this love is not something we do just because we want to.. Rather, it is the result of being loved by God. If we will love as God loves, we must first receive and know God and His great love for us. It is in the personal experience and encounter with God and His love that we are changed into the kind of people who then have the capacity to love others. So, the secret to loving does not begin with a determined effort on our part to treat people better but with a diligent effort to know God and encounter His love. To do this, we must ponder who God is and what He has done for us. It also means constantly reminding ourselves that God’s love is based on His character not our worth or merit. It means reflecting deeply on God's enormous sacrifice to save us. In short, understanding God's love means reflecting on the wonders of the Cross daily! Only through the personal knowledge and encounter of God’s love will we have the power and capacity to love others. Not only that, but it will change us to be the kind of people who are genuinely motivated to love as God loves!