We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 1 John 3:14-15
Our history is filled with stories of persecution of the saints who follow after Christ by the world. This shouldn’t come as surprise to the believers today because we see the onslaught with which it takes on its identity, which is the way of Satan who is described as the “father of all lies,” (John 8:44). A son will manifest his father’s characteristics, Paul wrote to the church at Ephesus, Be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma (5:1-2). A Christian has no greater calling or purpose than that of imitating his Lord. On the other hand, since the Jews exhibited the patterns of Satan in their hostility toward Jesus and their failure to believe in Him as their Messiah, their paternity behavior was the exact opposite of their claims, that they were justified at their obeying the Law of Moses. Satan was described by Jesus Himself as a “murderer from the beginning.” This is referring to the fall after Satan tempted Adam and Eve and successfully killed their spiritual life (Genesis 2:17; 3:17-24).
Everything Jesus was, everything He taught, and everything He did, was a manifestation of God’s love. This love of God enriches the lives of everyone who allows Him to pour it into their hearts through the working of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer. Becoming a Christian is a resurrection from death to life, and a turning from hate to love. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love (Galatians 5:6). What is done externally for God is worthless, unless it is accompanied by a genuine internal righteousness imparted by God to the believer. Saving faith in the life of a believer proves its genuine character by works of love for God and Christ.
A lack of love however, indicates that one is spiritually dead. Why, you may ask? That’s because love, unfeigned love is the sure test of whether someone has experienced the new birth and light of eternal life in Christ, or is still in darkness of spiritual death. Someone who is characterized by hatred has never experienced the love God has offered them through His Son.
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (1 John 3:16)—With this phrase, John introduces the standard of love that is reflected in genuine Christianity. It becomes the measuring stick for every expression of love which is not just in words, but in deeds and in truth (1 John 3:18). When the love of God is a powerful force in your life and His love in you is reaching out to others, your own life is enriched in a way you never would have thought possible. That’s where the real blessings come from, not what I do for God. But what God does through me. It will never be enough in this all too short and brief life, if all I ever do is to pursue what pleasures me. Ask Solomon, who had everything in this life beyond what anyone could ever want. Yet, afterwards when his life was coming to an end, he was filled with a dissatisfaction that could only be described by him as “meaningless, and chasing after the wind.”
Beloved friend, This brief devotion is merely scratching the surface of all that God is wanting to do in the life of a believer. To devote yourself to wanting to know God, and know His great love for you through His Son, Jesus Christ. We only have to look to the cross, and there we find as we read and study His Word, the revealing of God’s unmerited love for you, and for those whom you love, will become more real than ever before. The simple transformation one has who has an encounter with God by faith, in the revealed Word of His truth, and His great care for His children, can only be a challenge to you to seek Him and find out for yourselves. There can be no other place to go to in this life, where not only is God revealing Himself to us, but also lets us see our own depravity and need of His offer of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Prayer: Father God, through the wonders of Your great love, and transforming power of Your Holy Spirit in my life, do what is impossible for me to do for myself. And enrich my life through Your redeeming love for me. For Your glory, and my good, amen.
May the Lord bless your walk with Him today!
Oh brother Ron…….this is so true & like the song says……”Let my life & my words be the proof……..I’m gonna’ Love you with the Truth”. Many Blessings to you & your ‘tribe’ :^)
Thank you Lesley, great hearing from you! Hope your grandbabies back east are warm and filled with love!