You can listen to the whole unabridged sermon here: Whispers of Grace - Love (1 John)

As we near the end of our summer series, Whispers of Grace: 15 New Testament Words of Life, we arrive at word number 14—love. It’s no surprise that love makes the list. After all, when we think of Jesus, of God, of the church—love is supposed to be at the heart of it all.

But let me ask you something: if you walked around and asked people outside the church what word comes to mind when they hear “Christian,” do you think they’d say love?

Probably not.

You’re more likely to hear words like judgmental, mean, or political. And that should break our hearts. Because there may be nothing more central to following Jesus than love.

Not Just Paul—John Was All About Love Too

In recent weeks, I’ve grown increasingly convinced that love is not just a theme for the Apostle Paul (think 1 Corinthians 13), but the central thesis of his theology. But today, we’re turning to John—not the Gospel of John, but 1 John—near the end of your New Testament.

1 John is one of those universal letters. We don’t know exactly who it was written to, but its message is crystal clear. John, much like James, deals in contrasts: light and darkness, truth and lies, love and hate. There is no middle ground for him. And when he starts talking about love in 1 John 4, he doesn’t hold back.

Let’s look at what he writes, starting in verse 7:

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God… Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love… We love because he first loved us.

This is the foundation: God is love. God loved us first. Therefore, we love.

A Spiritual 2x4 to the Face

There’s one verse in this passage that hit me like a spiritual 2x4 this week. It’s verse 17:

This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world, we are like Jesus.

That’s a high bar. That should leave our knees a little wobbly. Because being like Jesus in this world? That’s not easy. That’s not natural. That’s not comfortable.

I’m not naturally like Jesus. I’m judgmental. I’m brash. I yell at the TV when the Tigers bullpen gives up another lead. I say things I shouldn’t say.

And yet… In this world, we are like Jesus.

So what would that look like?

What Would Jesus Do?

Many of us remember the “WWJD” craze—bracelets, bumper stickers, the whole thing. What would Jesus do? It’s a great question, and the answer is actually simple:

Jesus would love first.

When you read the Gospels, what you see again and again is Jesus moving towards people. Especially the outsiders. The tax collectors, the sinners, the “unclean.” The religious elite mocked him for it:

“He eats with tax collectors and sinners!"

And in that culture, to share a table meant more than just eating together. It meant you are welcome here. You’re like family. Jesus welcomed them in without asking them to change first.

He loved first.

So if we are to be like Jesus in this world, what is our first move toward anyone—friend, stranger, enemy?

Love.

Why Don’t We Love?

If love is that central, why don’t we love well?

The issue isn’t that we hate people. In fact, hate isn’t the opposite of love.

Fear is.

John says it directly in verse 18:

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.

We fear being uncomfortable. We fear losing relationships or reputation. We fear being judged by our churches. And at a deeper level, we fear punishment from God.

But the Gospel tells us—we don’t need to be afraid. Why?

Because God loved us first. He sent His Son for us. His love isn’t conditional. It’s sacrificial.

And that’s the love we are called to show. Even when it’s not returned. Even when it costs us. Even when it’s uncomfortable.

The Church: A School of Love?

There’s a quote from the late bell hooks in her book All About Love that wrecked me. She said:

“We have schools for everything… but no school for love.”

And I thought: That’s supposed to be the Church.

The church should be the place where we learn how to love. Where we practice loving well. Where we learn to love people we don’t understand, don’t agree with, maybe even don’t like.

But we haven’t done that. Instead, we’ve acted more like the religious leaders in Jesus’ day—demanding rule-following, using fear to keep people in line, and pushing away those who don’t measure up.

That’s not love. That’s fear.

And fear kills love.

But perfect love drives out fear.

So… Are We Like Jesus?

Let’s come back to verse 17 again:

In this world, we are like Jesus.

That’s the goal. That’s the call. And it starts with love.

So here’s the hard question:

Are you moving through this world in a posture of love?

It’s easy to say yes when we think about friends or family. But what about our enemies? The people who annoy us? Disagree with us? Vote differently? Worship differently? Live differently?

That’s where love becomes real. That’s where love becomes like Jesus.

Because Scripture says that before we knew Him, we were enemies of God. And what did He do?

He loved us first.

So again, I ask: Are you moving toward your enemies in a posture of love?

That’s the Jesus question.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the love of Christ. A love that is deeper, wider, and more powerful than we can comprehend.
You loved us first. Even when we were unlovable.

Help us now to be like Jesus in this world.
Help us to love first.
Help us to love our enemies.
Help us to show a watching world what loving well really looks like.

And may this church become a place—a school—where we learn how to love like You.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.