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The reason for our love to Jesus.

(1 John 4:19) 

The reason for our love to Jesus.

David Guzik Study's Guide for 1 John 4

continued...

We love Him because He first loved us.

Charles Spurgeon was a man who preached the whole counsel of God’s Word, and was careful to not excessively repeat himself in any one area. Yet, he preached five remarkable sermons on these eight words alone.The following comments draw much from Spurgeon's work on this single verse.

a. We love Him: In this great statement, John begins by declaring the heart of every true follower of Jesus Christ. Simply and boldly put, we love Him.

i. This is a fact for every true follower of Jesus. “There is no exception to this rule; if a man loves not God, neither is he born of God. Show me a fire without heat, then show me regeneration that does not produce love to God.” (Spurgeon)

ii. It is something that every Christian should be unafraid to proclaim: “I love Him; I love Jesus.” Can you say that? Are you embarrassed to say it? Can you say, “I love Jesus”?

iii. “I cannot imagine a true man saying, ‘I love Christ, but I do not want others to know that I love him, lest they should laugh at me.’ That is a reason to be laughed at, or rather, to be wept over. Afraid of being laughed at? Oh sir, this is indeed a cowardly fear!” (Spurgeon)

iv. “Look through all the pages of history, and put to the noblest men and women, who seem to still live, this question, ‘Who loves Christ?’ and, at once, up from dark dungeons and cruel racks there rises the confessors’ cry, ‘We love him;’ and from the fiery stake, where they clapped their hands as they were being burned to death, the same answer comes, ‘We love him.’ If you could walk through the miles of catacombs at Rome, and if the holy dead, whose dust lies there, could suddenly wake up, they would all shout, ‘We love him.’ The best and the bravest of men, the noblest and purest of women, have all been in this glorious company; so, surely, you are not ashamed to come forward and say, ‘Put my name down among them.’” (Spurgeon)

v. “Be out-and-out for him; unfurl your colours, never hide them, but nail them to the mast, and say to all who ridicule the saints, ‘If you have any ill words for the followers of Christ, pour them out upon me… but know this — ye shall hear it whether you like it or not, — “I love Christ.”’” (Spurgeon)

There is more...KEY VERSE: “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.’” — Luke 15:7

DISCIPLESHIP GUIDE for the week of FEBRUARY 15 - 21 - 2026

What is a way I can see the difference between John the Apostle and John the Baptist?

To see the difference between John the Apostle and John the Baptist, you can look at their distinct roles in Jesus' life and their very different ends. 

While they share a common name, they were two completely different individuals with separate backgrounds. 

Key Differences at a Glance

Feature	John the Baptist	John the Apostle
Primary Role	Forerunner/Preacher	Disciple/Apostle
Relationship to Jesus	Older cousin	Close friend/Disciple
Family	Son of Zechariah and Elizabeth	Son of Zebedee and Salome
Notable Actions	Baptized Jesus in the Jordan	Wrote the Gospel of John and Revelation
Manner of Death	Beheaded by King Herod	Died of old age (Natural causes)
Time of Death	During Jesus' early ministry	Decades after Jesus' resurrection

How to Tell Them Apart

• The Forerunner vs. The Beloved: John the Baptist is the "voice crying in the wilderness" who prepared the way for Jesus. John the Apostle (often called "the disciple whom Jesus loved") was one of the Twelve Apostles and part of Jesus' inner circle.
• Death and Legacy: You can distinguish them by their final days. John the Baptist was martyred early on, famously beheaded at the request of Salome. John the Apostle is traditionally believed to be the only apostle who did not die a martyr's death, instead living to an old age in Ephesus.
• Writings: If you are reading a book of the Bible named "John," it was written by (or attributed to) the Apostle, not the Baptist. The Baptist had already died by the time these books were written.
• Artistic Symbols: In religious art, you can often identify them by their symbols:
  • John the Baptist is usually shown as an ascetic with a camel-hair garment or a lamb.
  • John the Apostle is frequently depicted with an eagle or holding a book/scroll.