1 John 4:20 NKJV: The Truth About Love
Understanding the Scripture
"If someone says, 'I love God,' but hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" (1 John 4:20, NKJV)
In this passage, John emphasizes the importance of showing love to our fellow human beings, particularly our brothers and sisters in Christ. He argues that if we claim to love God but fail to demonstrate love towards others, our profession of faith is invalid.
The Illusion of Loving God
The apostle John is pointing out the inconsistency of claiming to love an invisible God while neglecting to love the people around us. If we are unable to show love to those we can see, how can we genuinely claim to love God whom we cannot see? This verse highlights the hypocrisy of professing love for God while ignoring the needs and feelings of our fellow humans.
The Reality of Loving Others
On the other hand, when we demonstrate love and compassion towards our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are, in fact, showing love towards God. Jesus taught us that "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me" (Matthew 25:40, NKJV). By loving others, we are, in essence, loving God.
Actionable Love
So, what does it mean to love our brothers and sisters in Christ in a practical sense? It means being willing to forgive, to serve, to listen, and to care for one another. It means being patient, kind, and gentle in our interactions with others. As we demonstrate love towards others, we are not only obeying God's commandment to love one another (John 13:34-35) but also proving the authenticity of our love for God.
Conclusion
In summary, 1 John 4:20 NKJV reminds us that our profession of love for God is meaningless if we fail to show love towards our fellow human beings. As followers of Christ, we are called to demonstrate love in action, not just in words. Let us strive to show the world what it means to truly love God by loving one another.
