1 John 4:7-21 The Core of It: God Is Love

Are you feeling like your faith journey is more about checking off boxes than truly experiencing God's presence? Maybe you work hard and play hard, trying your best to do what's right, but God sometimes feels distant. You hear about God's love, but it's hard to reconcile that with the tough breaks life throws your way or even your struggles loving people who rub you the wrong way. If you've ever wondered if there's more to "God is love" than just words, this message is for you. We're going to cut through the fancy talk and get down to what God's love really means for real people living real lives.

Today, we're digging into some powerful words from the Bible, 1 John 4:7-21. Don't let the chapter and verse numbers scare you off; this isn't some dusty old text. This is about the very heart of who God is and what that means for you and me.

John, the guy who wrote this, was talking to folks who were having a tough time. They were arguing amongst themselves, and outside forces were trying to pull them away from what was true. So, John laid down a foundational truth: God is love. He's not just loving sometimes, or has love as one of his good qualities. No, His very nature, His core being, is love.

Think about that. It's not some deep, confusing idea only smart people can grasp. It's a simple, powerful truth. Back in the day, people thought gods were moody, demanding, or just plain absent. But John said, "Nope! Our God is different. He's love, through and through." This was a mind-blower for everyone, whether they were used to a God who made demands or gods you had to constantly bribe with sacrifices. The idea of a God whose very essence is selfless love was revolutionary.

John also hammered home this idea of love because some folks were getting sidetracked, thinking that knowing God was all about secret knowledge or fancy theories. But John said, "No way. Knowing God, truly knowing Him, is about love. And not just thinking about it, but actually living it out." True faith, the real deal, shows up in how we love.

Before we dig in, take a few minutes to read 1 John 4:7-21 on your own. Grab your Bible and read it in at least two different translations. We suggest choosing two from this list: NIV, ESV, NLT, NKJV, NASB. This will help you get a better feel for the passage before we break it down together.

Setting the Scene: 1 John 4:7-21 The Divine Dance: God Loves, We Love

This part's pretty straightforward: God loved us first, and because of that, we're called to love Him back, and then to love each other. It's like a dance: God takes the lead, and we follow. He loves us, and in return, we love Him, and that love spills over to our brothers and sisters.

This isn't a suggestion; it's a direct command.

And John makes it clear: if you say you love God, but you can't stand your neighbor, then you've got it all wrong. How can you claim to love a God you can't see if you can't even love the person right next to you, the one you can see?

Rabbit Trail: Unpacking "God Is Love"

"God is love" – it's a beautiful phrase, one we hear often. But let's be honest, it can feel pretty abstract, right? How do we take such a profound and seemingly simple statement and make it tangible in our everyday lives? John’s declaration isn't just a theological concept; it's a foundational truth that echoes throughout the entire Bible. Let's chase this "rabbit trail" a little further and uncover some concrete examples of God's love in action, showing how this abstract idea plays out in real stories and scenarios.

God's Love in Action: Stories from Scripture

When John says "God is love," he's not inventing a new idea; he's distilling the essence of what God has always revealed Himself to be.

• Creation (Genesis 1-2): Why did God create anything at all? Not out of need, but out of an overflowing abundance of love. He created a perfect world, a place of beauty and provision, and then created humanity in His own image, inviting us into relationship with Him. This wasn't a transaction; it was a lavish gift of love. Think of a parent creating a beautiful nursery for a child they deeply desire – that's a tiny glimpse of God's creative love.

  
  

• The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12): God chose a man, Abraham, not because Abraham was perfect, but out of His sovereign love. He promised to bless Abraham and, through him, bless all the families of the earth. This covenant wasn't earned; it was a free expression of God's desire to extend His love and redemption to a broken world. It's like a powerful benefactor choosing to invest in a struggling family, not for what they can give back, but purely out of generosity and a desire to see them flourish.

  
  

• The Exodus and the Law (Exodus): God rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt with mighty acts of deliverance. Was this because they deserved it? No. It was an act of profound, redemptive love. And then, He gave them the Law. We often see the Law as restrictive, but it was a loving guide, designed to protect them, to show them how to live in relationship with a holy God, and how to live in peace with one another. Imagine a loving parent setting clear boundaries for their child, not to control, but to keep them safe and help them thrive. That's a form of love.

  
  

• The Prophets and God's Patience (e.g., Hosea): Time and again, the people of Israel turned away from God. Yet, the prophets reveal God's persistent, longsuffering love. He continually called them back, lamented their unfaithfulness, and offered hope of restoration. The story of Hosea, where God commands the prophet to marry an unfaithful woman to mirror His own relationship with Israel, is a powerful and painful illustration of enduring, relentless love despite rejection.

  
  

• Jesus Christ: Love Incarnate (The Gospels): This is the ultimate, undeniable proof of "God is love."

  • The Incarnation: God didn't just tell us He loved us; He became one of us. He stepped into our messy, broken world. This act of humility and solidarity is pure love.

    
    

  • Healing the Sick, Feeding the Hungry, Teaching the Crowds: Jesus' ministry was a constant outpouring of compassionate love. He met practical needs, offered hope, and taught radical truths about God's kingdom.

    
    

  • The Cross (John 3:16, Romans 5:8): "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son..." (John 3:16). "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). The Cross isn't just about forgiveness; it's the ultimate act of self-sacrificial love, where God bore the cost of our rebellion so we could be reconciled to Him. This is the love that "drives out fear" – because if God would go to such lengths for us, what do we have to fear from Him?

Real-Life Scenarios: Love in Our World

How does this "God is love" truth translate into our modern lives?

• The Unconditional Forgiveness: Think of a friend who genuinely forgives you after you've messed up, not holding it over your head, but truly moving past it. That's a reflection of God's love.

  
  

• The Sacrificial Parent: A parent who works tirelessly, makes personal sacrifices, and puts their child's needs above their own – that's a glimpse of the self-giving nature of God's love.

  
  

• The Compassionate Responder: When disaster strikes, and strangers rush in to help, offering comfort, resources, and support without expectation of repayment – that's love in action, mirroring God's care for the hurting.

  
  

• The Persistent Friend: The friend who doesn't give up on you, even when you're being difficult or pushing them away, who continues to show up and offer support – that resilience reflects God's unfailing love.

  
  

• The Quiet Act of Service: The anonymous volunteer who cleans up a park, visits the elderly, or tutors a struggling student, not for recognition, but simply because there's a need – that quiet, humble service is a manifestation of love.

  
  

The abstract idea of "God is love" becomes concrete when we see it embodied in action, whether in the grand narrative of salvation history or in the small, everyday kindnesses that echo His character. It's in these moments, both big and small, that we begin to grasp the incredible, transformative power of God's love for us.

There's more to this STUDY GUIDE

BE SURE TO SCROLL DOWN FURTHER FOR:

• Questions to chew on and discuss (or for your journal)

• A Journey Group Discussion Starter (use in your small group time)

• Modern Day Application Ideas

Want to watch the video version of the Daily Bible Podcast Episode that corresponds to this study guide? Here you go!

Questions for You to Chew On and Discuss

• If God is love, what does that mean for you when life gets messy? When things are tough, how does knowing God is love change how you see Him and what He's doing (or not doing) in your life?

  
  

• John says "perfect love drives out fear." We all have fears, big or small. What fears in your life might God's perfect love be trying to kick out? How could living in His love help you tackle those fears head-on?

  
  

• Since we're called to love our fellow Christians, what's one practical, down-to-earth thing you can do this week to show real love to someone in your church or faith group? Especially someone who might be a little hard to deal with?

Journey Group Discussion Starter

The 'Rabbit Trail' section gives a lot of examples of God's love in action, from creation to the Cross, and even in everyday life. Thinking about those examples, or maybe one you've experienced personally, what's one specific moment in your life where you felt God's love was truly concrete and not just an abstract idea?

Want to learn more about our Journey Groups (Small Groups online or in person)

Modern-Day Application:

Here's the bottom line for us today: 1 John 4:7-21 isn't just nice words; it's a blueprint for how we live.

• First, it forces us to really understand who God is. If He's love, then everything we think about Him should come back to that truth. It should make us trust Him more, feel secure, and want to be more like Him. That means spending time with Him, reading His Word, and letting His love change us from the inside out.

• Second, it makes us look hard at our relationships. Do we truly love other believers? This isn't about some gooey feeling; it's about real, gritty love that puts other people first. Maybe that means forgiving someone who really messed up, volunteering your time at church, lending a hand to a friend who's struggling, or just shutting up and really listening when someone needs to talk. Love isn't just a feeling; it's a choice and it's action.

• Finally, this message gives us the guts to live without being crippled by fear. If God's perfect love lives inside us, we can face anything life throws our way, knowing He's got our back. It doesn't mean we'll never feel fear, but it means we have something bigger—a love that can stare fear down and win. We're called to be like a pipeline for this love, sending it out to a world that desperately needs it.

RESOURCES TO HELP YOU GROW AS A CHRISTIAN

Feeling like you're going it alone on this faith journey? Or maybe you've realized that loving people is tougher than it looks, and you could use some backup? Don't sweat it, we've all been there! Why not hook up with a Journey Group? Think of it like a support crew for your soul. You can share your burdens, get some encouragement, and even learn to love the folks you thought were unlovable (which, let's be honest, often includes ourselves!). To find out more about Journey Groups, get plugged into one, or even learn how to start your own, head over to yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups.

And while you're there, don't forget to grab your free gift! It's our way of saying thanks for being part of the journey. You just might find your new favorite people!

Go to https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/journeygroups to learn more about Journey Groups, get connected in one, or even learn how to start your own. It's like a spiritual potluck, but instead of questionable casseroles, we share insights and grow closer to God. See you there!

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To learn more about YJJ, Thad and Kaila, and Your Jesus Journey, check out our ABOUT US section: https://www.yourjesusjourney.com/learn-about-thad-and-kaila-and-the-journey-church-online.

There's lots more to see and learn on our website, from our "what we believe" page to hundreds of blogs. We encourage you to swing on by and take a look around at www.YourJesusJourney.com!

EXCITING DREAMS TAKING SHAPE

From road life to dream home base! 🚚➡️🏡 After years of traveling, God led us to an incredible spot in Arizona to build a ministry hub & bless others. You won't believe how it happened! ✨ Watch our new video to see the first glimpse! 👇

For the past three years, Kaila and I have been living life on the road, exploring and serving wherever God leads us. It's been an incredible journey, but carrying everything we own and constantly navigating started us dreaming of something more: a home base. A place to lighten our load, simplify, and most importantly, create a space where we can truly bless others. This video is the first glimpse of that dream!

As full-time traveling missionaries and founders of YourJesusJourney.com, we live on a modest income, relying on the generosity of others to support our three-fold ministry vision: helping people understand the Bible in context, finding Christian friends, and equipping disciple makers. So, you might be wondering, how are we able to pursue something this ambitious? About a year and a half ago, Kaila’s beloved dad passed away. With his passing, Kaila inherited their expansive family home and horse property on the breathtaking North Shore of Lake Superior, in beautiful Ontario—the place she grew up, where she rode her first bike and horse, and learned to drive. After much prayer and seeking God’s guidance, we decided to sell the property. What you see here came as a result of that incredible blessing, and all the work unfolding in the next year or two will also be funded by it.

Ultimately, it’s all God’s money, God’s land, and God’s resources—we simply want to be faithful stewards, investing what He’s entrusted us with to serve our family, friends, and help countless others experience God and the lessons of the Bible in a whole new way. We prayed and searched high and low, from Texas to Idaho, and God consistently drew us back to this breathtaking location in Northwest Arizona. Imagine: a spot overlooking the world's densest Joshua Tree forest, just minutes from the Grand Canyon, with epic mountains in our backyard! Our deepest desire for this place is to be a haven for renewal. A spot where our kids can visit, Kaila's mom can stay, and friends can gather. But even bigger than that, it's a launchpad for new ministry—a place to invite people to rest, recharge, share meals, grow friendships, and truly be renewed in the desert sun. We're already dreaming of leading hikes, teaching Bible lessons, and hosting retreats.

There’s a lot of exciting work ahead, but we're stepping out in faith, trusting God every step of the way. We’re so excited to share this new chapter with our family, friends, and all of you! If you want to learn more about our ministry, please visit YourJesusJourney.com. And if you have any questions, or just want to send your prayers or encouragement, please fill up that comment section or reach out directly at YourJesusJourney@gmail.com.

We've journeyed through the Bible, verse by verse, for over 15 books now! We take each passage and break it down into easy-to-understand chunks of plain English. Along the way, we uncover fascinating historical details and explore the cultural context, truly bringing the scriptures to life in a way that resonates. Forget dusty footnotes and words that send you reaching for a thesaurus – we make God's Word approachable and meaningful for everyone. And because we know you're eager to dig even deeper, make sure to subscribe to the Daily Bible Podcast and catch the video podcast each day that complements these blogs!