"By this we know love..."
Text: 1 John 3:16
THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST’S LOVE
The problem of hatred in the heart for a brother is a very real problem, then and now! Sadly, we try and justify why we have such feelings of animosity! How did the apostle John resolve the problem of hatred for a brother in the heart? The example of the Lord Jesus Christ was cited as the answer.
“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us.
And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
1 John 3:16
1. “By this”
a) The phrase “by this” may also be translated “in this”.
b) John sought to highlight the example he was going to cite.
2. “We know love”
a) The verb “know” is actually the Perfect Indicative.
b) Two aspects are highlighted when the Perfect Tense is employed.
i) “We have known”
ii) “Now we know”
c) The NKJV translation highlights the second part of the Perfect Tense
d) “Love”
i) It is not just the common love we see in the world.
ii) It is “the love” of the Lord that is the focus here.
3. “Because He laid down His life for us”
a) The reference to knowledge of love.
i) The love of the Lord Jesus was displayed when He gave His life for us.
ii) This was a well-known fact.
iii) But that knowledge must have a present and lasting impact on the believer.
b) “He laid down His life for us”
i) Love is much more than mere feelings.
ii) The love of Christ was a supreme one.
iii) On behalf of us He laid down His life.
iv) Surely this knowledge must impact us.
c) How can hatred for a brother exists in the heart?