Download the LifeGroup Study Guide HERE

The Apostle John’s main concern is for the authenticity of eternal life found evidenced in the church. There is no greater example for the presence of God’s Spirit than in a love for God’s children that reflects the love of Jesus. 

Observations:

1. John is speaking to those inside the church
2. John is contrasting the church and the world
3. John develops Jesus’ command as a specification of the Greatest Commandment

Conclusions: What kind of love gives assurance that we have eternal life?

1. The love of a Christian will look like the familial love of Jesus
   – if you take life through hate, you lack eternal life
2. The love of a Christian will be evidenced in actions
   – if you refuse to love with action, you do not have eternal life
3. The love of a Christian will come from listening to the Spirit
   – if your heart isn’t led by God’s Spirit, you have no eternal life

Application: 

1. Watch over your brothers and sisters in the church
2. Order your life according to compassion, so that you can fill needs
3. Let the Spirit lead you

John 15:18

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”

Matthew 22:34-40

“Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

1 John 4:19-21

“We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”

1 Peter 4:8

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”

Matthew 5:21-22

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”