BibleProject | One Story That Leads to JesusSample

Is it possible to capture the Bible’s essential message with three words? Probably not. But if you had to, these three from John might be the most accurate: “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16).This phrase captures the foundation and culmination of the entire biblical story. Why did God create? Because God loves. Why did God rescue humanity by sending his Son? Because God loves. Why is God going to make all things new? Because God loves and because God is love.

How should humans respond to this God of deep, delighted love? For John, the answer is obvious: “Beloved,” he writes, “let us love” (1 John 4:7). Both “beloved” and “love” here come from the Greek word “agape,” which you’ll learn more about in today’s video. Genuine love, from John’s perspective, and in Scripture overall, is about actively giving oneself to bless others, even your enemies. Such love is the most accurate litmus test of genuine faith.

Where faith in God abounds, John says, so too does love. To live without love is to live without faith. This is intense, but remember, John’s writing is known for its blunt, black-and-white intensity. He’s writing to people in crisis. Many have departed from the church community, and others are generating hostility toward those who did not. The people he was writing to may have been wondering: Is it time to get hostile, to fight fire with fire? If they’re shooting vitriol and harsh judgment, should we shoot back?

No, says John. Take the hit, breathe, and respond to their fire with the truthful, merciful love of Jesus. Stop darkness with light. Yes, fight evil wherever it lurks, in yourself and in the world, but fight evil in partnership with God. Light is from God, and God is love, so fight with love and light—and turn the dial all the way up.

Reflection Questions

• The God of the Bible doesn’t merely express love through Jesus. God is love. As a triune God—Father, Son, and Spirit—God always has been and forever will be an others-centered, self-giving, communal being who thinks, feels, and acts with pure love. Compare 1 John 4:16 and John 15:9-13. What similarities do you notice?
• The book of 1 John heavily emphasizes the theme of being children of God. According to 1 John, what are the blessings and responsibilities of God’s children?