“Dear friends, if God so loved us, then we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God resides in us, and his love is perfected in us.”
— 1 John 4:11-12
John’s opponents didn’t have a clearly defined heresy. We know they denied some things about Jesus (orthodox view of dual nature). So yes, John could attack their beliefs at times.
It was easier, at other times, to point out how their belief system led to horrible application, whether lifestyles of sin (ch 3) or not loving fellow believers.
If: First class condition, which assumes something is true for sake of argument. Logical conclusion or a “prove it” statement in other passages.
No one has seen God is not meant to disprove other place like Moses or Elijah. Let John say what he wants to say. Now, of course no one has seen the fullness of God ever. That would kill someone most likely. The point here is that believers have the person of God inhabiting them through the person and work of the Holy Spirit.
And if they understand and have experienced the love of God (and continue to experience it through their faith journey), it will flow from them to others. In turn, those around them will experience the love of God, too. They will “see God.” Experience God. Be welcomed by God.
This is one evidence of knowing the truth. A sacrificial, others-first mindset that reflects Jesus. John is really giving a standard for teachers/who to follow, but if definitely applies to all.
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