1 Juan 4:9-11 (#1Jn-22) | Amados para amar | @PastorWillGraham (Iglesia Evangélica Almería)

Amados para Amar: Un Mensaje sobre el Amor

Introducción al Tema del Amor

• El amor de Dios se manifiesta en el envío de su hijo unigénito, lo que permite a los creyentes vivir por Él. Este acto es la esencia del amor divino.

• Se presentan cuatro razones por las cuales debemos amarnos unos a otros:

• Somos amados.

• Es un mandato de Dios.

• El amor es parte de la naturaleza divina.

• La falta de amor indica que no hemos nacido de nuevo.

Quinta Razón para Amar

• Se introduce una quinta razón para amar: el evangelio. Esta razón se basa en la gloria del amor de Cristo y del Padre hacia nosotros.

Estructura del Mensaje

• El mensaje se divide en tres puntos principales:

1. El amor del Padre (versículo 10).

2. El amor del Hijo (versículo no especificado).

3. El amor del creyente (versículo 11).

Contexto y Necesidad del Amor

• Juan enfatiza el tema del amor debido a las divisiones y críticas dentro de la iglesia, buscando consolar a los creyentes con un mensaje centrado en el amor divino.

Detalles sobre el Amor del Padre

• Se explica cómo el amor de Dios se mostró al enviar a su Hijo al mundo, destacando que este acto no depende de nuestro propio amor hacia Él.

• Es crucial entender que el evangelio existe gracias al amor eterno y soberano del Padre, quien nos eligió antes de la fundación del mundo.

Ejemplos Bíblicos sobre el Amor Divino

• Se citan varios versículos (Juan 6:37, Juan 6:39, Juan 6:44, Juan 17), donde Jesús menciona que aquellos que vienen a Él son dados por el Padre, subrayando así la relación entre ambos y su papel en nuestra salvación.

The Love of God: Predestination and Grace

The Foundation of God's Love

• The text emphasizes that God's love precedes all, as He loved us first and predestined us. This foundational love allows us to reciprocate love towards the Father.

• Paul articulates this concept in Ephesians 1:5-6, highlighting that we are adopted as His children through Jesus Christ, according to His will and for the glory of His grace.

• The speaker reflects on why God chose to have mercy on some individuals, contrasting it with others like Judas Iscariot, attributing salvation solely to God's sovereign grace.

• Acknowledging the mystery of divine love, the speaker expresses joy in being loved by God before the foundation of the world, affirming our identity as children of God.

• The doctrine of predestination is not a New Testament invention; it is also present in the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 7:7-8), where God's choice is based on His love rather than human merit.

Sovereign Grace and Salvation

• Salvation serves a purpose beyond self-glorification; it exists to exalt God’s name. Our election stems from His love and grace alone.

• Emphasizing humility, the speaker notes that nothing within us warrants God's choice; instead, it is purely an act of divine grace meant to prevent boasting before Him.

• Citing 1 Corinthians 1:28-29, he reiterates that God chooses what is lowly and despised so that no one may boast in His presence.

The Love of Christ

Manifestation Through Action

• Transitioning to Christ's love, it's noted that He was sent into the world so we could live through Him—this encapsulates true love as demonstrated by action rather than mere words.

• The practical nature of God's love is highlighted; it isn't abstract but embodied in historical actions through Jesus Christ.

Practical Examples

• John emphasizes loving not just in words but in deeds (1 John 3:18). True biblical love manifests itself tangibly within community support during hardships.

• An example illustrates how one cannot claim to love their brother while neglecting their needs—true affection requires actionable support.

Incarnation as Evidence

• The incarnation serves dual purposes: showcasing both the Father's and Son's love. It represents a commitment to fulfill divine will out of genuine affection for humanity.

Understanding the Love of Christ and Propitiation

The Nature of Christ's Love

• The speaker emphasizes that Christ embodies love for both the Father and His chosen people, highlighting a deep connection between divine love and sacrifice.

• It is noted that Christ's love is not merely verbal; it manifests in actions, culminating in His self-sacrifice on the cross.

• A reference to John 15:13 illustrates that true love involves laying down one's life for friends, reinforcing the idea that genuine love requires self-denial and sacrifice.

Characteristics of True Love

• The speaker argues that true love does not harm others but instead shows patience and mercy, reflecting the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

• This section introduces two aspects of the Gospel: propitiation (negative aspect) and eternal life (positive aspect), indicating a duality in understanding salvation.

Understanding Propitiation

• Propitiation is defined as an act of appeasing or pacifying God's wrath against sin, which is essential for understanding redemption.

• Citing theologians like Jong Rey, it is explained that propitiation involves removing God's displeasure through Christ’s sacrificial death.

Theological Implications of Propitiation

• The concept implies that Jesus' sacrifice satisfies God’s justice regarding sin, allowing believers to be viewed with favor rather than wrath.

• Grudem's definition reinforces this by stating propitiation changes God's anger towards humanity into favor through Christ’s atonement.

Human Condition and Divine Wrath

• The speaker addresses common misconceptions about God’s anger towards sinners, emphasizing that God’s holiness necessitates judgment against sin.

• Biblical references highlight humanity's sinful nature as deserving of divine wrath, establishing a need for reconciliation through propitiation.

Conclusion on Communion with God

• Emphasizing Psalm 7:11, it reiterates that God judges wickedness daily; thus, communion with Him requires addressing human sinfulness.

• The necessity for propitiation becomes clear—without it, there can be no peace or salvation from God's righteous anger.

The Eternal Sacrifice of Christ

The Nature of Christ's Sacrifice

• Jesus Christ is described as the ultimate sacrificial lamb, meant to atone for all sins once and for all, contrasting with the temporary sacrifices of animals in the Old Testament.

• As the second person of the Trinity, Christ does not need to be sacrificed repeatedly; His divine blood shed on the cross provides eternal redemption.

• Unlike animal sacrifices, which were finite and could only cover sins temporarily, Christ’s sacrifice is effective eternally due to His divine nature.

Assurance of Salvation

• Believers are assured that their sins are buried forever because Christ bore God's wrath in their place; thus, they will not face condemnation.

• Doubting one's salvation equates to questioning the perfect work accomplished by Jesus; believers should focus on Him for assurance and security.

Understanding Propitiation

• The concept of propitiation indicates that God has removed His anger through Christ's offering. This brings peace between God and believers.

• Prayers and praises must be offered in Jesus' name since access to God comes solely through Him.

Positive Aspect of Salvation

• Beyond removing sin, Christ grants believers spiritual life—eternal life—which is essential for entering heaven.

• Without this positive aspect (the imputation of righteousness), believers would remain neutral before God, akin to Adam before his fall.

Double Imputation Explained

• The gospel reveals that not only does Christ remove sin but also imparts righteousness so believers can enter heaven positively justified before God.

• Paul emphasizes that those in Christ are now seen as God's righteousness—a profound transformation from being merely neutral.

The Impact of Faith

The Concept of Double Imputation

• Martin Luther illustrated double imputation: our sins transferred to Christ while His righteousness is credited to us—an incredible exchange highlighting grace.

A Powerful Metaphor

• An analogy involving a prince marrying a prostitute illustrates how everything belonging to each party becomes shared; similarly, all our debts become Christ's while we gain His wealth (righteousness).

Celebration of Salvation

• Believers are encouraged to rejoice in their salvation—Christ has taken away all sin and granted eternal life. This profound gift should eliminate doubts about salvation.

Understanding God's Love and Our Response

The Love of the Father and the Son

• The speaker discusses the concept of God's love, emphasizing that believers were chosen by the Father before the foundation of the world and gifted with His Son as an expression of love.

• Two aspects of the Gospel are highlighted:

• Negative aspect (propitiation) which removes God's wrath.

• Positive aspect (eternal life), indicating that believers inherit righteousness from Christ.

Application of Grace to Believers

• Transitioning to practical application, the speaker emphasizes how understanding God’s love should lead believers to love one another.

• A logical reasoning is presented: since God has loved us, we must also love each other. This is rooted in a series of reasons for loving others:

• We love because we are loved.

• We follow God's command to love.

• Love signifies new birth in Christ.

Reasons for Loving One Another

• The fifth reason for loving others is tied directly to the Gospel; since God loves us through Christ, we are compelled to extend that love to others.

• The speaker reflects on personal identity as children of God, highlighting that if one has received so much grace and forgiveness, it naturally leads to loving fellow believers.

Unity in Christ

• Emphasizing unity within the church community, it is noted that true fellowship transcends political or social divisions; all are one in Christ regardless of background or status.

• Practical implications include a call for congregational involvement; being part of a local church is essential for spiritual growth and communal support.

Importance of Church Community

• The necessity for gathering with fellow believers is stressed; attending church services fosters spiritual communion rather than mere social interaction.

• Personal anecdotes illustrate a transformation from reluctance about church attendance during youth to a deep desire for fellowship after experiencing new birth in faith.

Demonstrating Love Through Actions

• The speaker asserts that genuine faith manifests through active participation in community life rather than isolated worship via online sermons alone.

• A call is made for mutual support among believers—showing patience and forgiveness—as essential expressions of Christian love within a local congregation.

Applications of Love Within Community

• Two applications regarding how Christians can express their love:

• Negative Application: Covering each other's sins as Christ does (referencing scripture).

• Positive Application: Actively demonstrating justice and mercy towards one another.

The Importance of Forgiveness and Love in the Church

The Role of Love in Overcoming Offenses

• Emphasizes the necessity of fervent love among church members, stating that love can cover a multitude of sins.

• Highlights that all churches are imperfect, and if one seeks a perfect church, they should not attend any, as every congregation consists of sinners.

• Discusses the importance of exercising patience and forgiveness within the church community due to inherent human flaws.

Addressing Conflict and Sin Among Members

• Cites Proverbs 10:12, indicating that hatred stirs up strife while love covers all offenses; warns against gossiping about others in the church.

• Warns against members who harbor resentment and speak ill of others without giving them a chance to defend themselves.

• Advises on how to address sin directly with the individual involved rather than spreading rumors or gossip.

Steps for Correcting Sinful Behavior

• Recommends approaching a brother or sister privately to discuss their sin with kindness and mercy before escalating matters.

• If initial attempts fail, suggests involving one or two mature individuals for further discussion while maintaining confidentiality.

• Stresses that unrepentant members living in sin should not partake in communion until they rectify their behavior.

Protecting Reputation Within the Community

• Advocates for protecting an individual's reputation by addressing issues privately rather than publicly shaming them.

• Uses an analogy from scripture about covering one's father's nakedness instead of exposing it to others as a model for handling conflicts within the church.

The Consequences of Gossip and Criticism

• Condemns those who spread rumors about fellow members, labeling such actions as cowardly; emphasizes accountability among believers.

• Encourages direct communication between individuals rather than allowing division through gossip; highlights love's role in covering sins without ignoring them.

Building Up One Another in Faith

• Calls out negative behaviors like criticizing pastors or other leaders within the church; urges repentance from such actions.

• Affirms that love does not overlook sin but addresses it constructively; encourages building each other up through positive actions and support.

Love and Support Among Believers

The Role of Love in Strengthening the Community

• Emphasizes using talents, gifts, and free time to uplift and bless fellow believers, highlighting that love means strengthening others.

• Suggests simple acts of communication, like sharing a Bible verse via WhatsApp, can be powerful gestures of love that make others feel valued and remembered.

• Encourages believers to act freely in love without imposing strict rules or legalistic norms, allowing for genuine expressions of care.

Forgiveness and Mercy

• Discusses the importance of forgiveness by reflecting on how one has received mercy from God; emphasizes that even those who seem undeserving should be forgiven.

• Highlights the concept of fraternal love as sincere and unpretentious, urging believers to embody this love through their actions towards each other.

Understanding Divine Love

• Reflects on God's immense love for humanity, which should inspire believers to change their perspective on how they view themselves and others.

• Compares humanity's sinful nature to being "forgiven prostitutes," stressing the need for compassion and understanding towards one another.

Practical Applications of Love

• Urges believers to apply these principles by showing compassion, lifting each other up, and creating opportunities for support within the community.

• Concludes with a call for an outpouring of unconditional love among members as a reflection of God's grace.