As I have loved you
The necessary fruit of this love of God is the love of our neighbor, of every soul which God has made, not excepting our enemies, not excepting those who are now spitefully using and persecuting us (Matthew 5:44). A love by which we love every man as ourselves (Matthew 22:39), as we love our own souls.
Our Lord has expressed it still more strongly, teaching us to love one another even as he has loved us. Accordingly, the commandment written in the hearts of all those who love God is no other than this: "As I have loved you, so love one another" (John 13:34). Now, "in this we perceive the love of God, in that he laid down his life for us" (1 John 3:16). We ought, then, as the apostle justly infers, to lay down our lives for our brothers (1 John 3:16).
If we feel ourselves ready to do this, then we truly love our neighbor. Then we know that we have passed from death to life, because we thus love our brothers (1 John 3:14). By this we know that we are born of God, that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he has given us of his loving Spirit (1 John 4:13). For love is of God, and everyone who loves in this way is born of God and knows God (1 John 4:7).
1771 text
3. The necessary fruit of this love of God, is the love of our neighbour, of every soul which God hath made; not excepting our enemies, not excepting those who are now despitefully using and persecuting us: a love, whereby we love every man as ourselves, as we love our own souls. Nay, our Lord has expressed it still more strongly, teaching us to love one another even as he hath loved us. Accordingly the commandment written in the hearts of all those that love God, is no other than this, As I have loved you, so love ye one another. Now herein perceive we the love of God, in that he laid down his life for us. We ought then, as the apostle justly infers, to lay down our lives for our brethren. If we feel ourselves ready to do this, then do we truly love our neighbour. Then we know that we have passed from death unto life, because we thus love our brethren. Hereby know we that we are born of God, that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his loving Spirit. For love is of God, and every one that thus loveth, is born of God and knoweth God.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 18 in the 1771 Works. John 3:8.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.