“Love one another as I have loved you"1 John 4:7–13

This is our Sunday teaching from Senior Pastor, Leon Spence.Recorded live at our Sunday Service in Harris Academy Purley, Croydon on Sunday 1st February, 2026.

This Sunday’s teaching centred on Jesus’ command: “Love one another as I have loved you” (1 John 4:7–13). It was both a reminder and a challenge—calling us not only to understand love, but to live it as God defines it.

The message began by grounding us in a vital truth: God is love. Love is not merely something God does; it is who He is. From eternity past, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have existed in perfect, loving community. Out of that love, God created us as image bearers—designed to reflect His character. Yet unlike God, we often live in isolation. Through Jesus, however, we are saved into community, adopted into God’s family and formed together as the church.

Because God is love, He alone defines what love truly is. Scripture shows us that love is not rooted in our feelings, striving, or self-definition, but in God’s action: “God sent His only Son into the world that we might live through Him.” The cross is the ultimate demonstration of love. Jesus took our sin upon Himself so that we could be made right with God. This is the source of all true love.

Using Mary J. Blige’s song “Real Love” as an illustration, we were reminded of humanity’s deep longing for perfect love—and how often we look for it in the wrong places. Like us, we may pray for God’s love, but then rush ahead without waiting for Him, settling for substitutes: relationships, work, success, or approval. God invites us into maturity, moving from a self-centred, fear-driven love into a Christ-shaped love rooted in sacrifice and grace.

The call to love one another is deeply personal and deeply practical. Loving like Jesus means resisting blame, projection, and pride when tensions arise. Instead, moments of irritation or conflict become invitations to pray: “God, perfect me in Your love through Your Spirit.” Our struggle is not against people, but against sin within us.

As Croydon Vineyard celebrates 13 years, we were encouraged by all God has already done—and reminded there is more. Every one of us carries a “spiritual lanyard,” called to welcome, serve, and love without selectivity. Whether through Connect Groups, Alpha, family life, or everyday relationships, we are invited to love as we have been loved.

In the end, the question is simple but searching: Did we love God’s people today? Because faith and hope may sustain us—but love is the greatest, and it is what defines us.