1 John 3:16
The sermon emphasizes the importance of imitating God's love by laying down our lives for the brethren, as seen in the example of Christ.
John Gill emphasizes the profound love of God as demonstrated through Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for humanity, showcasing His grace and mercy. This act of love is not based on human merit but is a reflection of God's rich compassion. Gill encourages believers to imitate this love by being willing to lay down their lives for one another, as exemplified by figures like Priscilla and Aquila. He highlights that true brotherly love involves risking oneself for the sake of others and the Gospel. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a deeper understanding and practice of sacrificial love among Christians.
Text
Ver. 16. Hereby perceive we the love [of God],.... The phrase "of God" is not in the Oriental versions, nor in the Greek copies, but is in the Complutensian edition, and in the Vulgate Latin version, and is favoured by the Syriac version, which reads, "by this we know his love to us"; and so the Ethiopic version, "by this we know his love". That is, the love of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is truly and properly God, the great God, the mighty God, the true God, and God over all, blessed for ever. His love is manifested to his people, and perceived by them in various instances; but in nothing is it more clearly seen than in the following one:
because he laid down his life for us: of the life of Christ, and his laying it down in the room of his people, See Gill on "John 15:13", which shows his love, his free grace and favour; for this arose not from any merit or worth in the persons he died for; not from their love, loveliness, or duty, but from his rich mercy, and the great love wherewith he loved them; and which, though it cannot be equalled, should be imitated:
and we ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren: not in such sense, or for such ends and purposes, as Christ laid down his life for us; for no man, as by giving his money, so by laying down his life, can redeem his brother, or give to God a ransom for him: but the meaning is, that saints ought to risk their lives, and expose themselves to dangers, for the sake of their brethren, when they are called to it, and the case requires it: as Priscilla and Aquila laid down their necks, or ventured their lives for the Apostle Paul, Ro 16:3; and they should also, when called unto it, freely lay down their lives in the cause of Christ, and for the sake of his Gospel, for the gaining of souls to Christ, and for the confirming of the faith of the brethren in him, as the apostles of Christ, and the martyrs of Jesus, have done; this is an argument for brotherly love, in the highest instance of it, taken from the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, than which nothing is more forcible, or can lay a greater obligation on the saints.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Love of God Manifested
- A. The love of God is seen in the sacrifice of Christ
- B. This love is not based on merit or worth in man
- II. The Call to Imitate God's Love
- A. Saints should risk their lives for the sake of their brethren
- B. This call is based on the example of Christ
- III. The Importance of Brotherly Love
- A. Brotherly love is a fundamental aspect of the Christian life
- B. It is an argument for the importance of loving one another
Key Quotes
“His love is manifested to his people, and perceived by them in various instances; but in nothing is it more clearly seen than in the following one:” — John Gill
“Christ laid down his life for us out of his rich mercy and great love, not based on any merit or worth in us.” — John Gill
“This is an argument for brotherly love, in the highest instance of it, taken from the example of our Lord Jesus Christ, than which nothing is more forcible, or can lay a greater obligation on the saints.” — John Gill
Application Points
- We should be willing to risk our lives for the sake of our brethren when called to it.
- We should imitate God's love by laying down our lives for the cause of Christ and for the gaining of souls to Him.
- Brotherly love is a fundamental aspect of the Christian life and should be prioritized.