“The Secret to Loving Others” 1 John 4:7-21 02/18/2007 Dr. Dane Boyles

“The Secret to Loving Others” Scripture Reading 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. (1 John 4:20, NIV)

“The Secret to Loving Others” Introduction The philosophy of this age is that people don’t love others because they don’t love themselves. I disagree! People love themselves too much! Is it possible then that people don’t love others because they don’t love God.

“The Secret to Loving Others” Love is a commandment we obey. 27 He answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Luke 10:27, NIV)

“The Secret to Loving Others” Love is a choice we make. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. (Rev 2:4, NIV)

“The Secret to Loving Others” Love is a concern we have. Love primarily is a desire to give to another that which God would have them to have.

“The Secret to Loving Others” Love is a commitment we keep. The first commandment is to love God with all your heart. The second commandment is to love your neighbor as yourself.

“The Secret to Loving Others” If We Love God, it Is Easier to Love Other Christians. 21 And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. (1 John 4:21, NIV) Our love for God makes it easier to love other Christians.

“The Secret to Loving Others” If We Love God, it Is Easier to Love Critics. 27 “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, (Luke 6:27, NIV) If we love the Lord Jesus Christ more than we love ourselves, think about how HE feels about our critics.

“The Secret to Loving Others” Jesus died for them. Jesus desires their salvation. When self gets in the way, we cannot see ourselves or others properly.

“The Secret to Loving Others” 41 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? (Luke 6:41-42, NIV)

“The Secret to Loving Others” You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Luke 6:42, NIV) It is all a matter of perspective: do we see specks or planks?

“The Secret to Loving Others” If We Love God, it Is Easier to Love our Spouse. 14 You ask, “Why?” It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.

“The Secret to Loving Others” 15 Has not [the LORD] made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth. (Malachi 2:14-15, NIV)

“The Secret to Loving Others” 16 “I hate divorce,” says the LORD God of Israel, “and I hate a man’s covering himself with violence as well as with his garment,” says the LORD Almighty. (Malachi 2:16, NIV)

“The Secret to Loving Others” God has given us our spouse for companionship! God has given us our spouse for completion.

“The Secret to Loving Others” God intends for us to have our spouse to be complete! God has given us our spouse in a covenant.

“The Secret to Loving Others” If We Love God, it Is Easier to Love our Children. 3 Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. (Psa 127:3, NIV) God gave them for happiness. God gave them for help.

“The Secret to Loving Others” Conclusion We must remember: Love is a commandment we obey... Love is a choice we make... Love is a concern we have… Love is a commitment we keep.

“The Secret to Loving Others” 1 John 4:7-21 02/18/2007 Dr. Dane Boyles