Validated: Our Faith Authenticated - Love That Works.
Love That Works: Real Love in Action
Have you ever tried rolling down a window in an old-school car, only to be confused when there’s no button? You push, pull, and even tap the door panel—nothing happens. Then someone laughs and shows you the manual crank. Suddenly, it all makes sense. That’s how love works—it’s not automatic or effortless. Real love requires action, effort, and commitment.
This is what John teaches us in 1 John 4:7-21. Love isn’t just a feeling or a concept—it’s a choice that should define our lives as followers of Christ. Let’s dive into how love works and why it’s the mark of an authentic faith.
1. Love Comes From God (1 John 4:7-8)
“Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
Love isn’t something we invented—it’s from God. That means He defines it, not us. We live in a world where people try to twist love to fit their preferences:
• Some use it as a tool for manipulation.
• Others reduce it to a passing feeling.
• Some believe love is only for those who deserve it.
But John sets the record straight. Love is who God is, and if we belong to Him, we will love like Him. If we refuse to love, we don’t really know God.
Love is not just a theory—it’s a practice. Imagine hiring a personal trainer who has never worked out. That wouldn’t make sense! Likewise, we can’t claim to know and follow Jesus if our lives aren’t marked by real, sacrificial love.
2. Love is Shown in Christ (1 John 4:9-11)
“God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”
Want to see love? Look at Jesus. The cross is the clearest picture of love we’ll ever have. God didn’t just talk about love—He showed it by sending His Son to die for us.
This means love is more than words—it’s sacrifice.
• Love isn’t just saying, “I’ll pray for you.” It’s showing up when someone is hurting.
• Love isn’t just “thinking good thoughts.” It’s giving, forgiving, and serving—even when it’s inconvenient.
• Love isn’t about waiting for people to deserve it. God loved us first! And He calls us to do the same for others.
3. Love Proves Our Faith (1 John 4:12-16)
“No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God remains in us and his love is made complete in us.”
We can’t see God with our physical eyes, but we can see Him in how we love one another. When we love like Christ, we become a reflection of God to the world. Just like a mirror reflects light, our love should shine God’s character to those around us.
John also reminds us that love isn’t just about big moments—it’s about consistency. Our faith is not proven by the Bible verses we quote, the church services we attend, or the Christian music we listen to. It’s proven by how we love people.
Ask yourself:
✔️ Am I loving only when it’s convenient?
✔️ Do I love only those who love me back?
✔️ Is my love self-sacrificing like Christ’s?
Love is the proof of our faith!
4. Love Gives Us Confidence (1 John 4:17-21)
“There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love.”
Genuine love drives out fear. Many people live in fear—fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of not being enough. But when we truly understand and accept God’s love, fear loses its grip.
When we confess our sins to God, we don’t have to fear His rejection.
When we love others boldly, we don’t have to fear how they’ll respond.
When we trust God’s love, we don’t have to live in insecurity.
Fear says, “What if they don’t love me back?”
Love says, “I will love anyway, because Christ loved me first.”
Final Challenge: Love That Works
John closes with a bold statement:
“If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar.” (1 John 4:20)
Ouch. That’s tough. But it’s true! We cannot claim to love God while holding on to hatred, bitterness, or unforgiveness.
So, here’s the challenge for all of us this week:
🔥 Who do you need to love better?
🔥 Who is difficult for you to love?
🔥 Where can you put love into action?
Love isn’t a suggestion—it’s the mark of a true believer. If we belong to God, we must love like Him.
Call to Action
🙌🏽 If you’ve been holding back love—start today.
🙌🏽 If fear has been keeping you from loving fully—trust God’s perfect love.
🙌🏽 If you’ve never experienced the love of Jesus—He’s inviting you today.
💬 Drop a comment below: What’s one way you can put love into action this week?
📖 Want to go deeper? Read 1 John 4:7-21 and ask God to help you live out love.
#LoveThatWorks #WestsideChurchNJ #MeetUsOnTheWestside #FaithInAction
