Join me in reflecting on God’s Word: specifically how that God’s love flows through us! All scripture passages are from Berean Standard Bible available online biblehub. Emphasis on passages are mine.
Loving others reveals our new life in Christ!
1 John 3:11-15
Love One Another
(John 13:31–35; Romans 12:9–13)
11This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did Cain slay him? Because his own deeds were evil, while those of his brother were righteous. 13So do not be surprised, brothers, if the world hates you.
14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. The one who does not love remains in death. 15Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.
John teaches that love is evidence of a new nature. Recall that “love” here is agape love. John teaches that we will love others as Christ has loved us. How are we to love others?
Love others in action! Love as Christ loves us!
1 John 3:16-20
16By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone with earthly possessions sees his brother in need, but withholds his compassion from him, how can the love of God abide in him?
18Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth. 19And by this we will know that we belong to the truth, and will assure our hearts in His presence: 20Even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and He knows all things.
Jesus’ love appears in His redemption. Just as He took up the cross and died, so we too must die to self. There are times when we’re not certain about our relationship with God, but loving others reaffirms God’s work in us! Jesus came to serve His Father. We can serve and follow Him in the path of Jesus!
Confidence before God
(v 21-24)
21Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God, 22and we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight. 23And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and we should love one another just as He commanded us. 24Whoever keeps His commandments remains in God, and God in him. And by this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit He has given us.
When we actively love others, Holy Spirit assures us of our relationship with Christ! Our deeds and nature are markers of our relationship! This gives us confidence and reveals Holy Spirit active in our lives. Also it enables us to be pleasing in God’s sight and obedient to His call on our lives.
Consider the “fruit of Holy Spirit”.
Galatians 5:22-25
22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.
Notice how the fruit of Holy Spirit relates to love. Compare Galatians 5:22-25 and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Fruit of the Spirit and love share common traits.
God is Love, He Perfects His Love in Us!
1 John 4:15-19
15If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love; whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 17In this way, love has been perfected among us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment; for in this world we are just like Him.
18There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love. 19We love because He first loved us.
Note the key words of this passage that are repeated:
abide, abides in God–John uses this phrase numerous times in 1 John
Why? Biblical writers use repetition to emphasize main points of understanding. Got questions explains abiding in God:
The phrase abiding in Christ pictures an intimate, close relationship, and not just a superficial acquaintance.
https://www.gotquestions.org/abide-in-Christ.html
Abiding in Christ involves knowledge (gained from experience, practice) and obedience. As we walk with Christ, we come to better know Him as we obey Him! Loving others is key to obeying Christ.
The conception of “perfected, perfect” appears. John uses the Greek verb teteleiōtai in 1 John 2:5, 4:17, 4:18. This word means
to consummate, reaching the end-stage, i.e. working through the entire process (stages) to reach the final phase (conclusion).
https://biblehub.com/greek/5048.htm
Notice that this is a process and that will progress through stages and reach a conclusion.
For a detailed article on “perfected in love”:
https://www.gotquestions.org/perfect-love-casts-out-fear.html.
Blocks to Loving Others
Loving others requires that we are vulnerable and thus open ourselves to others. This involves risk. Some will ignore us, others will seek to take advantage, and/or use us. Loving others isn’t easy! But it is the only way moving forward.
Words of Grace & Hope 