DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS

1 John 4:11-16      (9/25)       Second Vesperal Reading at the Repose of John the Theologian

 

God is Love: 1 John 4:11-16, especially vs.16: “God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.”  This sentence of the Apostle is unique, being the only time in Scripture to equate God and love - noun for noun, grammatically.  The Saint steps beyond prior expressions that speak of God using the verb “to be.”  Other authors of Scripture approached Divine love using adjectives: “Compassionate and merciful is the Lord...” (Ps. 102:8).

These writers disclose many sides of the experience of God: “God is the Lord and hath appeared unto us” (Ps. 117:26); or “...God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” (Deut. 4:24).  Numerous Psalms recount the wonders God accomplished and presently is working for His People, through which are revealed a provident, merciful, and forgiving nature.  Still, it was direct encounter with the incarnate Lord that enable John to grasp the depth of the Divine nature and say, “...God is love.  In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him” (1 Jn. 4:8,9).

In a few statements following upon these verses, Saint John provides a linguistic and theological reflection on the implications of his spiritual breakthrough concerning the nature of God as love.  Finally, as he began when first stating this wondrous insight, he concludes with a brief, seminal passage in which he repeats again, at the end, the very same words (1 Jn. 4:16).

Start with his statement at the end of the present passage and “work backwards,” for to do so discloses his spiritual journey in becoming an imitator of God and a beloved disciple able to take real steps in love through Christ Jesus at Whose Cross he kept vigil as the Lord gave “...Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God, for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Eph. 5:2).

First, Saint John points out the necessity of having a genuine experience of the love of God: “...we have known and believed the love that God has for us” (1 Jn. 4:16).  Experience allows God’s love to “click” within: God really does love us, sinners that we are - truly.  Grasp it and risk trusting it; then accept it and embrace Him.  The experience of God’s love enables confession “...that Jesus is the Son of God...” (vs. 15).  The mouth then wants to express it, which explains the hunger to worship Christ, thank Him, and receive Him in the Holy Gifts.  It drives those not chrismated to become so.  It enable us who spoil our baptismal purity, to wash ourselves anew with the Baptism of prodigal tears in Confession and come back to Him.

Of course, confession is not possible, if there is no illumination.  Note what Saint John says: “...we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world” (vs. 14).  Look with the eyes of the heart.  Many saw the Crucifixion, and then went home to dinner.  Never doubt: when a heart truly sees, testifying is difficult to restrain.  The illumined heart knows what God did in Christ is true - God loved us.  His love cannot be proved, but it can be known.

Remember Baptism: “Thou art baptized.  Thou art illumined.  Thou hast received anointment with Holy Chrism” - the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Saint John speaks of this next: “...He has given us of His Spirit” (vs. 13).  The Chrism is outward; the anointing of the Spirit is within.  Learn to notice the Spirit’s voice, light, wisdom, and strength.  He is within.

And what happens?  The Apostle says, “...God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us” (vs. 12).  The verb “perfect” here implies “completing.”  The Saint writes at the end of his life when God’s love is completed in him.  God’s love is the work that the Spirit labors to complete within all of us.  Now, Christ’s Disciple joins the Spirit and nudges us: “...if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 Jn. 4:10)  O God, complete Thy love in me to love all others!

O Lord, grant that all may know how greatly Thou lovest us, and the wonder Thy love.

Return to the September Calendar