1 John 5:2
True love to the brethren is demonstrated by love to God and obedience to his command.
John Gill emphasizes that true love for others is rooted in our love for God, as expressed in 1 John 5:2. He explains that while people may show kindness to others for various reasons, genuine brotherly love arises from a sincere love for God and obedience to His commandments. This love is not based on external factors or personal gain but is a reflection of God's grace and image in others. Gill highlights that our relationship with God directly influences our relationships with fellow believers, affirming that loving the saints is an expression of our love for God.
Text
Ver. 2. By this we know that we are the children God,....
The Ethiopic version reads, "by this know that we love God"; which, in connection with what follows, makes a tautology, and is a proving "idem per idem": whereas the apostle's view is to show when love to the saints is right; and that is,
when we love God, and keep his commandments: love to the brethren may arise from such a cause, as may show that it is not brotherly love, or of a spiritual kind; it may arise from natural relation, or civil friendship, or from a benefit or favour received from them, and from some natural external excellency seen in them; and a man may do acts of love and kindness to the brethren, from what may be called good nature in himself, or with sinister views; but true love to the brethren springs from love to God: such who love the saints aright, and by which they may know they do so, they love them because they themselves love God, and in obedience to his command; they love them because they belong to God, and are the objects of his love; because his grace is wrought in them, and his image stamped upon them.
Sermon Outline
- Knowing We Are Children of God
- Definition of Love to the Saints
- Distinguishing True Love from False
- The Source of True Love
Key Quotes
“when we love God, and keep his commandments” — John Gill
Application Points
- We must examine our motivations for loving others to ensure it is a spiritual love.
- Obedience to God's command is essential for demonstrating true love to the brethren.
- Recognizing the brethren as objects of God's love is crucial for true love to the brethren.