Collins preached on 1 John 4:7-10, emphasizing Christian love as a test of true faith. He opened with a call to reflect on God’s love, describing it as divine, supernatural, and self-giving. Collins explained that biblical love is more than emotion—it is an active, sacrificial love, demonstrated supremely in God sending His Son for our salvation.
The Call to Love
He highlighted how a Christian without love is like a candle without a wick or a car without an engine—useless in God’s kingdom. True believers, he said, are recognized by their love. Christian love is not worldly affection but selfless and enduring, willing to suffer for others.
Four Aspects of the “Test of Love”
Invitation (Verse 7): John invites believers to love one another because love is from God. This love is not a mere suggestion but a natural result of being born again.
Indication (Verse 8): Those who do not love do not know God, because God is love. If love is absent, it signals a lack of genuine faith.
Illustration (Verse 9): The greatest demonstration of love was God sending His Son into the world, proving that love is active, not passive.
Initiation (Verse 10): We love because God first loved us. His love is the foundation of our faith and the motivation for our love toward others.
The Nature of True Christian Love
Collins emphasized that only true believers can love with biblical, Christ-like love. He warned against selfishness, unforgiveness, and worldliness, which hinder genuine love. True love, he said, is:
• Not dependent on feelings but a choice of the will
• A willingness to bear others’ burdens, even in suffering
• The evidence of being born again
Living Out the Test of Love
Collins urged the congregation to abide in Christ, as only through walking in the Spirit can believers love as God commands. He explained that love is the fruit of the Spirit, and failing to love is an indication of spiritual deficiency. He closed with a powerful reminder: if someone has never experienced true love, they need to come to Christ, because outside of Him, there is no real love.
Final Challenge
He challenged believers to examine their faith:
Do you habitually love others as Christ loves?
Is love evident in your daily life, even toward difficult people?
Does your love reflect God’s selfless love or the world’s selfish love?
Collins concluded with a call to commit to biblical love, abide in Christ, and live in such a way that the world sees the love of God through His people.