Love is not an option

ESV

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Discussion Notes

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God,
and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. 

In this verse,

• What does “believe” mean?
• What does “born of God” mean?
• Why is it true that if you love the Father you will love his children?

By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.

To grasp what John is really saying here, check out John 14:15 and John 15:14.

Love is not always easy. If you find some of God’s children difficult to love, consider this.

• We are saved by grace. But when we are saved, the first and most important evidence of our salvation is that we love God, which is impossible for us to do without His grace.
• If we love him we will want to please him.
• In John 14:15 and John 15:14, Jesus says that real love results in obedience
• God commands us to love His children, who are our brothers and sisters
• If you love God, you will learn to love His children
  (and He will help you – see next verse)

And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

Let’s assume that John is talking about only two (or three, or four) commandments.

• Love God with your whole being – with everything in you
  (heart, soul, mind, strength)
• Love your neighbour as yourself
• Love your brother/sister as Jesus has loved you
• Love your enemies

Do you find these commandments easy or hard to keep?

• If they are hard to keep, why is this? (See 1 John 2:15-17)
• If they are easy to keep, why is this? (See 1 John 5:4)
• Can both these things be true at the same time?
• Which way do you want it to be in your life?

Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

• What is the essence of “the world” according to 1 John 2:15-17?
• How does believing in Jesus – the Son of God – help you to overcome pride and self-preoccupation?