Question on 1 John 4:12

[InChristAlways]

I have a question on 1 John. Do we still have "will" to go against God after we have been elected in Christ? According to 1 John, it appears to say that as long as we are loving one another, it seems to be a "condition" of God remaining in us. :confused:

I don't really understand that verse and could someone please enlighten me on it? I am not exactly sure of the translation or tense and that may be the problem, but this is the word for word translation as close as I could get it. Thanks.(Young) 1 John 4:12 God no one hath ever seen; if ever we may be loving one another, God in us doth abide [#3306], and the Love of Him in us is having being perfected [#5048].

[wildboar]

It is the tension between the already and the not yet. As regards the new man we only desire to serve God but we constantly struggle against the old man.

[michaelaus]

those who are baptised by water will bring sin into this world, they know they have done wrong and repent for it and are made clean again. this is the son who did not do the fathers will and then later did,the one who dose this has done what is right and will be blessed for it.Those who are born of god do not continue to sin there sin is kept within them this is where paul is saying in romans 7;17 the sinfull self is seen before sin is brought into the world.the first is Christs love with a person who is giuded by the truth, where the disiples were before they were born of god,the later is one who is born of god. both live in the love of the christ, thus when Paul says in corrinthians 13 faith [in the christ brings forth love] for the power of restoration of the son is not faith but love. and if we love our friends and our enermies we never sin for there are all kinds of evil in blind faith.but there is no sin in LOVE, the one who has faith in the Christ loves All those who walk in the Christ are being perfscted in love for man has no love.

[beloved57]

I believe the bible teaches that love for the brethern is a natural grace that will accompany salvation, Jesus even said that by this will all men know that ye are my disciples

jn 13 :35 By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

1 jn 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

Be sure that I`m not advocating loving ones brother as an condition for salvation but as a result and manifestation of salvation and even this is a work of God....:D

[ray kikkert]

Be sure that I`m not advocating loving ones brother as an condition for salvation but as a result and manifestation of salvation and even this is a work of God....:D

That is right. The ability to love is as much an unconditional gift that the Lord gives to His chosen one's as faith, repentance... et al.

When man starts to define and look at these things as conditions that are set forth before a man from God then man looks away from Christ and starts looking at his dung infested works and faithfulness. The result will be death.

Such is the case with the Lord's everlasting covenant. That family fellowship and bond is unconditionally established, sustained, and maintained by the Lord.

"Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins"

Who is the Lord... using John, speaking to here in the text??:)

[shining_fame]

What is an example of loving as it is promoted in 1 John 4:12?

[ray kikkert]

What is an example of loving as it is promoted in 1 John 4:12?

Love for the brethren who confess the Lord Jesus Christ. How good and pleasant is the sight when brethren make it there delight , to dwell in blest accord. The communion of the saints.:)

[Robert R. Higby]

All true! How often these verses are misused into teaching that we should love all mankind equally when special love for the elect of God is the subject!