God Is Love

John frequently warns us about antichrists in his letters. Antichrists deny that Jesus is the Son of God and that He came to redeem us from sin, and they try to lead people astray. Sometimes, identifying them is as simple as asking what they believe (1 John 4:1–3). Other times, it’s more subtle. Every person, movement, and idea carries a kind of “spirit,” and we are called to test each one to see whether it aligns with God or opposes Him.

That can sound overwhelming, but we don’t need to be afraid. The Holy Spirit living inside us is greater than any other spirit (1 John 4:7–12). And if we want to grow stronger in discernment, all we have to do is pursue love.

People often struggle to define whether love is a feeling, an action, or a choice. Scripture gives us a deeper picture. Love is a perfect state of being that goes beyond the physical—like when an orchestra reaches perfect harmony, and the music moves you on a spiritual level. Love is also God’s nature: He is love. So when we live and love the way He does, we become more like Him and move closer to the perfect state of being He designed for us (1 John 4:7–21).

In practice, pursuing love means living as Jesus did: sacrificially, generously, and even wishing good for our enemies. But it’s about more than actions. It starts with knowing Jesus deeply, understanding what He has done for us, and asking Him to shape how we love others.

God’s love is too great to be neatly defined. But with Jesus’s help, we can grow into it and, in doing so, grow into who we were meant to be.

Watch the full sermon here.