1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1 John 4:7
“Let us love one another” is a refrain that grounds ethical behavior in doctrine: love is the evidence that believers are “born of God.” John ties relational ethics to spiritual birth: as God’s children, they reflect their divine origin in relational love. The command envisions a church marked by mutual care, generosity, and forgiveness. The broader context emphasizes love as the definitive mark of genuine faith, distinguishing true believers from those who merely profess belief without a transformed relational life.
Key themes: divine origin (born of God), its evidence in love, and the nature of God as love. Love becomes both a response to God’s character and a conduit of God’s presence in the world. The verse also anchors the church’s mission: a community defined by love bears witness to God’s own nature.
Practical steps: practice intentional acts of love—pray for others, share burdens, or serve in tangible ways. Consider how you respond to conflict: aim for reconciliation, extend grace, and choose patience. Create spaces for vulnerable relationships, where people can be known and loved deeply. Let your church or small group become a place where love is visible through acts of service, hospitality, and honesty.
Cross-References: 1 John 3:11; John 13:34–35; 1 Corinthians 13:1–3; Galatians 5:22–23; Romans 5:8