but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.  1 John 2:5-6

4.  The Tests of Our Adoption

a.  The Test of Fellowship:  1 John 1:1-10

b.  The Test of Obedience:  1 John 2:3-5a

c.  The Test of Conformity:  1 John 2:5-6

d.  The Test of Loving other Christians:  1 John 3:14

Principle 1:  We cannot love each other without enjoying fellowship with God that is drawing us to know His love, grow in His love and be empowered by His love.: 1 John 2:5, 1 John 4:7, 1 John 4:16-17, 1 John 4:9

Principle 2:  We must see each other always in the light of our eternal family ties not through our earthly conduct living out those family ties.: 1 John 3:1, 1 Corinthians 13:7

Principle 3:  It is a natural expectation that we love one another.: 1 John 3:11, 1 John 4:11, Romans 6:1-2

Principle 4:  Loving other Christians, all Christians, is a command to obey, not an option to consider based on circumstances or feelings.: 1 John 3:23, 1 John 4:21, John 14:15

Principle 5:  Fear of vulnerability and transparency cannot prevent our loving one another sincerely and sacrificially.: 1 John 4:18, 1 Peter 1:22

Principle 6:  Loving one another is not a dull and necessary duty to obey but a privileged command to delight in.: 1 John 5:2-3, Psalm 119:35

TODAY

1.  God’s love is willful: 1 John 4:9-10, Ephesians 1:7-10, Hebrews 10:5-7, Psalm 40:6-8

2.  God’s love is personal: 1 John 4:9, John 1:14

3.  God’s love is purposeful: 1 John 4:10, 1 John 2:2

4.  God’s love is costly: 1 John 4:9, John 3:16