1 John 4:9 ⁹In this, the love of God has been revealed in us, that God sent his one and only Son into the world in order that we might live through him.

This verse gives the simple message of salvation and summarizes John’s interpretation of the gospel. It echoes the thought of John 3:16. In this points to the second clause: the depth of God’s love was shown through the coming of Jesus. The aorist passive verb has been revealed refers to the historical revelation of Jesus with which John began the letter in 1:1-4. The prepositional phrase in us indicates that God’s revelation is internal; thus, it is transforming and changes us at the very core of our being, where the problem of sin lies. The powerful thought of this verse—and the gospel—is that God showed his great love by sending Jesus to the world to die for our sins. Jesus died a death he did not need to for his own sins. He died out of love. Jesus was unique in all of history as the only human born to a virgin through the Holy Spirit. His divine origin through human agency qualified him to be both the Messianic King and the Divine Savior.

The reason Jesus came is succinctly given in a purpose clause (hina followed by a subjunctive): so that we might have life. This special life begins now and is experienced as growing love for others. Life brings love, just as love brought life. This life grows in us, providing stronger hope and assurance that it will continue and be completed after death.

Life comes only when we find ourselves in Jesus. We experience new life when we accept him as Savior and reject our sin by acknowledging it before him. The world’s hold on us is released, and we experience freedom that comes only with love. The Son communicates God’s love through sacrifice upon the cross, mission to the lost and least, and in words that transform our lives. We experience the power of his presence today through the Holy Spirit, who draws us into this love if we but open our hearts and seek after it.