1 John 3:18 - Forerunner Commentary

1 John 3:18

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Articles, Bible studies, and sermons that contain 1 John 3:18:

I John 3:18-19
Excerpted from: Love and Fellowship

It is not how we feel, but whether or not we are loving.

I am leading to something that is going to be a major portion of the next sermon. The love of God is not feeling. If it was feeling, it would not be a good standard for us to measure ourselves against. We have to have a standard that changes not! Otherwise, the standards are going to be varying from person to person. Love, therefore, cannot be a feeling, because feelings will vary from person to person depending upon the experiences of that person's life. Feelings—emotions—are educated by our experiences. We will act or react—according to feelings—differently.

So, love is not a feeling. Love is an action. Let us get that down, so that it is firmly implanted in our minds. Love is obedience to God. It is that simple. It is an action.

It is one thing to feel compassion for somebody who is in need, but if it does not turn into love, no deed will take place. And so the feeling can be good because it motivates us to take action, but the feeling is not love. The action is love. That is why John can say, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.”

Whether the love is towards God or man, it does not rest on feelings but on practical acts—deeds. So, the first test, then, is not something that is dealt with abstractly. That is, it is not a thing of the mind, but it is good, solid evidence against which we can measure ourselves. Are we keeping the commands of God? We can say, "Yes, I keep this one. I keep this one. I keep this one. I keep this one, and that one, and that one, and so forth. I've done this. I've done that." That is love. You see, we can measure ourselves against something, because God gives us accurate descriptions of exactly what love is.

I John 3:18-20
Excerpted from: Love and Fellowship

It is not how we feel, but whether or not we are loving.

I am leading to something that is going to be a major portion of the next sermon. The love of God is not feeling. If it was feeling, it would not be a good standard for us to measure ourselves against. We have to have a standard that changes not! Otherwise, the standards are going to be varying from person to person. Love, therefore, cannot be a feeling, because feelings will vary from person to person depending upon the experiences of that person's life. Feelings—emotions—are educated by our experiences. We will act or react—according to feelings—differently.

So, love is not a feeling. Love is an action. Let us get that down, so that it is firmly implanted in our minds. Love is obedience to God. It is that simple. It is an action.

It is one thing to feel compassion for somebody who is in need, but if it does not turn into love, no deed will take place. And so the feeling can be good because it motivates us to take action, but the feeling is not love. The action is love. That is why John can say, “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.”

Whether the love is towards God or man, it does not rest on feelings but on practical acts—deeds. So, the first test, then, is not something that is dealt with abstractly. That is, it is not a thing of the mind, but it is good, solid evidence against which we can measure ourselves. Are we keeping the commands of God? We can say, "Yes, I keep this one. I keep this one. I keep this one. I keep this one, and that one, and that one, and so forth. I've done this. I've done that." That is love. You see, we can measure ourselves against something, because God gives us accurate descriptions of exactly what love is.

Articles
Is the Christian Required To Do Works? (Part Four)
The Eighth Commandment (1997)
The Elements of Motivation (Part Seven): Fear of Judgment
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Five): The Peace Offering, Sacrifice, and Love
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Four): The Peace Offering

Bible Studies
Basic Doctrines: Doctrine
Kindness
Love
The Seven Churches (Part Three): Ephesus

Essays
A Moment of Your Time?
Missing the Mark (Part Two)
The Thin, Frail Line

Sermons
Back to Basics
Elements of Motivation (Part 6)
It Takes a Church
These Things We Know
A Survey of God's Gifts to Us
"If I Have Not Charity"
Matthew (Part Twelve)
Together We Stand—But on What?
The Two Great Commandments: First Principles
Love God, Love Neighbor
Offerings (Part Four)
Conscience (Part 3)
Love and Fellowship
Principled Living (Part 4): Giving of Ourselves
Offerings (Part Five)
Unity
Unity and Unleavened Bread
Teaching By Example
Carrying Water for Jesus Christ
Producing Fruit
Producing Fruit
Don't Stand Still!
Knowing Christ (Part 2)
Knowing Christ (Part 3)
Parables of Matthew 13 (Part 2): Leaven
The Christian and the World (Part Six)
Our Closest Neighbors
When Will God Answer?
How Our Joy May Be Full!
Answered Prayer Through Faith
Manifesting Kindness
Unity and Unleavened Bread
Is Redistribution of Wealth Biblical?
Why Do You Feel Entitled?
Compassion and Couch Potatoes
Gifted With Power From on High!

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