Discernment of the ‘spirits’ is based upon their willingness to acknowledge the incarnation of Jesus. This ‘en-fleshment’ of Jesus is also the way that we know the love of God (4:9), and the founding reason for our love for one another (4:11). The gift of the Spirit, too, points us in the direction of God becoming human in the person of Jesus (4:14). This Jesus-among-us reveals the radical nature of God’s love for us. So much so the author concludes: ‘God is love’ (4:16). Now that we know the love of Jesus we are called - and equipped - to love ‘like Jesus’ loved (4:17). 1 John 4

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