Grace in Focus Podcast Summary

Episode: In 1 John 4:8, Are All the Beloved Born Again?
Date: November 13, 2025
Guests: Bob Wilkin (C), Sam Moore (B)

Main Theme

This episode centers on the theological meaning of “beloved” in 1 John 4:7-8. The hosts analyze whether John’s address to the “beloved” includes only born again believers and if loving others is proof of salvation or of fellowship with God. The discussion draws practical application for assurance of salvation, Christian growth, and love among believers.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Contextual Reading of 1 John 4:7-8

[01:03–01:58]

• Sam Moore reads 1 John 4:7-8 aloud, highlighting the phrases “born of God” and “knows God.”
• Bob Wilkin contextualizes these verses by referencing earlier passages, clarifying that John’s audience is “of God,” i.e., born again believers, specifically those in fellowship and overcoming false teachings.

2. Distinguishing Being “Born of God” from “Knowing God”

[02:00–07:10]

• Bob emphasizes a distinction in John’s writing: Being born again is not the same as “knowing God” in one's daily experience.
  • Quote [04:49]:

    “Born of God and knowing God may be seen by many as the same thing, but they're not seen as the same thing here by John.” — Bob Wilkin

• Illustrates this point using Jesus’ words to Philip (John 14), showing how one can be in a relationship yet not know the other deeply.
• Humorous Interlude
  Bob shares a golf joke to illustrate how close relationships don't guarantee true knowledge or intimacy (relevant to a believer’s experiential knowledge of God).

3. Detailed Exegesis: Verse 8 Omission

[06:41–07:10]

• Bob notes a significant detail:
  • Verse 7 says, “everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”
  • Verse 8 only says, “does not know God,” omitting “is not born of God.”
  • Quote [07:10]:

    “He’s clearly suggesting that a born of God person may not know him.” — Bob Wilkin

• The omission implies that a believer (born of God) can fail to truly know God if not loving others.

4. Are “Beloved” Always Born Again?

[08:12–08:40]

• Bob’s answer: Absolutely, “beloved” refers to born again believers, and even more so, specifically to “overcoming” believers who are in active fellowship with God.
  • Quote [08:12]:

    “Are all the beloved born again? Is absolutely yes. ... the people he's writing about are overcoming believers in fellowship with God.” — Bob Wilkin

5. Parallel with James 2 and Practical Application

[08:40–10:30]

• Sam reads James 2:15-16, and Bob connects it to 1 John 3:17-18, underlining that love is demonstrated through action, not mere words.
• Bob clarifies that the responsibility to love fellow believers goes beyond sentiment—it means meeting tangible needs within the church.
• Reiterates that the passage addresses “one of you,” reinforcing intra-church accountability rather than general charity.
• Points out that even within Christian families and relationships, love does not always happen automatically.

6. Assurance of Salvation vs. Loving Others

[11:59–12:52]

• Bob warns against basing assurance of salvation on one’s expression of love or good works.
  • Quote [12:02]:

    “If you look at your works, you're always going to see that you fall short of the glory of God. None of us is perfect. ... We base our assurance on the promise that whoever believes in him will not perish, but has everlasting life.” — Bob Wilkin

• Loving others is seen as crucial to Christian maturity (“overcomers”), but not a requirement for securing assurance of salvation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the distinction of knowing God:

  "Born of God and knowing God may be seen by many as the same thing, but they're not seen as the same thing here by John." — Bob Wilkin [04:49]

• Why verse 8 matters:

  “He’s clearly suggesting that a born of God person may not know him.” — Bob Wilkin [07:10]

• On assurance of salvation:

  “If you look at your works, you're always going to see that you fall short of the glory of God. ... We base our assurance on the promise that whoever believes in him will not perish, but has everlasting life.” — Bob Wilkin [12:02]

• Practical edge on loving in the church:

  “This is one of you. This is somebody in your local church. ... The point here is a believer is capable of not loving his fellow brothers and sisters.” — Bob Wilkin [10:05]

• On believers' imperfections:

  “Loving one another is not automatic—even in your family unit. … Many of us came out of dysfunctional families.” — Bob Wilkin [11:09]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:03–01:58] Reading and immediate question
• [02:00–04:49] Context, “of God” meaning
• [04:49–06:41] “Born of God” vs. “knows God,” golf analogy
• [06:41–07:10] The missing phrase in verse 8
• [08:12–08:40] Direct answer: “Beloved” are born again
• [08:40–10:30] James 2 and 1 John 3 parallels; practical love
• [10:30–12:02] Believers’ failures at love; implication for assurance
• [12:02–12:52] Assurance based on faith, not works

Episode Takeaways

• “Beloved” in 1 John unmistakably refers to born again believers. John’s specific audience is even narrower: believers walking in fellowship and exhibiting overcoming faith.
• Love for others evidences fellowship with God, not the validity of one’s salvation.
• Assurance should rest on Christ’s promise, not on the believer’s performance.
• The episode offers theological insight with pastoral application, urging discernment between justification (being born again) and sanctification (experience and growth).

For further resources or questions, visit faithalone.org.