As He Is
13 By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.
18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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Key Verse 17: By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.
V13-15
What has been given to us? (13) What have we seen? (14) What does it mean to “confess” that Jesus is the son of God? Why do you think that confessing that Jesus is the son of God shows that God abides in us and we in God?
V16
What does it mean to come to “know” the love that God has for us? What does it mean to come to “believe” the love that God has for us? How might knowing and believing be different? What does it mean to abide in love?
V17-18
When is love perfected in us? Why do you think it is important to have confidence for the day of judgement? How can we have this confidence? What does it mean to be as Jesus is in the world?
What are we lacking if we are fearing judgment? (18)
V19-21
Why do we love? (19) Why is this an important truth to remember when we want to love others?
What is happening when we say “we love God” but hate our brothers? Why do you think we cannot love God if we don't love our brothers? (20)
What do you think is the purpose of the commandment in verse 21?