Bad Religion · Week 2 · Day 5: Put Love Into Practice

Bad Religion · Week 2 · Good Works Without Love
October 18, 2026 · Jonah Tolpezninkas

Read: 1 John 4:7–21

“We love because he first loved us.”

Reflection

John begins with a call to love one another, then takes us to its source: God himself. In verses 7–10, knowing God and loving people belong together. We learn what love means by looking at Jesus. The Father sent his Son to give us life and deal with our sins. God took the initiative before we had anything to offer him.

That is why verse 11 moves from receiving love to sharing it. God’s generosity creates a real obligation to care for one another. Verse 12 adds something remarkable: although we cannot see God, his love becomes visible in a community that loves. Think about what someone encounters when they spend time with us. Do they find patience, truthful kindness, and room to be heard?

Verses 13–16 keep that life rooted in God. He gives his Spirit, and we confess Jesus as his Son and rely on his love. Christian love grows through this continuing relationship. We need God’s help when care becomes inconvenient or resentment has settled in.

In verses 17–18, John connects maturing love with confidence before God’s judgment. His words about fear concern punishment; they do not mean a faithful Christian will never feel anxious. We can bring our fears to the God whose Son has already come to save us.

The passage ends with a searching test. Verse 19 grounds our love in God’s first love, and verses 20–21 challenge any claim to love God while hating a brother or sister. Our treatment of the person we can see matters to the God we cannot see.

This extends Sunday’s invitation to let God’s love in Jesus change why we do good. Today, name one person you have been avoiding or keeping score against. Ask God to help you seek their good. Offer an apology, listen without interrupting, or meet a practical need. Such steps express the love you have received; they cannot purchase it.

Personal question

How is my treatment of a particular person agreeing with, or contradicting, my claim to love God?

Practical response

Reread verses 9–11 and 19–21. Name one person and one specific act of care you can offer today without requiring appreciation in return. Pray for them, then follow through.

Prayer

Father, thank you for loving us first and sending Jesus for our sins. By your Spirit, help me rely on your love. Expose the resentment I have excused, and teach me to care for the person in front of me. Amen.

This week’s sermon

Good Works Without Love · Bad Religion, Week 2
Watch the October 18 service https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uS_IWUtxM4