And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.

1 John 3

And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. v23

From Matthew 22, Jesus gives us the greatest commandments.  Here John repeats Jesus' commands.  What is striking to me this morning is the extent to which we love others is tied to our love of Jesus.


The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us. v24

This sentiment is also expressed in the subsequent chapter:

Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. 1 John 4:20-21

 

We must love God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are...You are love and Your love abounds to heights and breadths that cannot be measured.  You have so much patience, compassion, mercy, etc. for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry...too much. Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.  If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18

There are many people in need in our community and in the world and John challenges us to meet people where they are - to help.  Not just in prayer or words but in action - to give. 

Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Psalm 112:5

Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Matthew 5:42

 

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 

 

One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
    another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

A generous person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25

 

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs 19:17

 

The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern                  Proverbs 29:7

 

My Prayer:  Lord, You are a great God full of love, generosity, compassion, patience, etc. for me.   Thank You Jesus!  However, I am not deserving of such blessings because I am often not this way to others. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him.

1 John 3

Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him. v15

If we love God with all of our heart, soul and mind there is no room for hate because we effectively remain near to Him and become more like Him and Jesus loves all of His children, even those who sin (because we all sin - Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8).  

We must love one another.

Matthew 22:37-40
John 13
1 John 4:7-12

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God, the King of Kings and the Name Above All Names.  You were before all, in all, through all, created all, and hold all things together.  Without You I can do no good things.  You protect me, You bless me, encourage me, love me, have compassion and mercy on me...thank You Jesus.  I know my words are insufficient for all that You are but I am hopeful that my words and my life are a living sacrifice for You.  Please forgive me for my harsh words towards others.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.

1 John 3

Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. v13

God wants us to be different...to be set apart.  Others should see Jesus in us and be drawn to Him.  If are to be different, to be set apart, then it should not come as a surprise if the world rejects us.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

Others should see the Light in us:

All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. Acts 6:15

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:14-16 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed, the Way, the Truth, and the Life...and I have no path to the Father but through You.  I DO desire You.  And I want to please and glorify You and bring others to You.  I want to be a Light just as You are a Light.  You bless me beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus for the many blessings You pour out for me and for adopting me as Your son.  I am not worth such love and blessings.  I worry..and am harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me.  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!

1 John 3

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! v1

We have been blessed indeed.  We have a Father that knows everything about us, including our sin, yet He chose to live as we do, suffering and dying in our place.  We are blessed indeed!

Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people. Deuteronomy 9:6

 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

 

We should be content with what we have and because we have such a God!

 

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3

 

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

 

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

My Prayer: Indeed - You are Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior!  King of Kings and Lord of Lords...all knowing and all powerful.  You DO know everything about me...yet You chose me as Your son...and gave me blessings that are overwhelming.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such showers of love.  I am selfish, lazy, worrisome, etc.  Please forgive me and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.

1 John 2

And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming. v28

We must be ready - because we never know when God will call us Home or when Jesus will return.  We must live with the end in mind and be prepared.

So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Matthew 24:44

 

 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. Revelation 22:12

 

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God!  You have blessed me withe life, family, Your Word, the Holy Spirit, the Church, my brothers and sisters in Christ, and so much more.  My cup overflows...Thank You Jesus for the many blessings You pour out for me...I am undeserving.  I am weak, I speak and think harsh words of others.  Please forgive me and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects from chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.

1 John 2

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. v15

The world is full of amazing creations: creation itself, material things, people, etc.  The admonition is that we are not to idolize anything.  We can enjoy the world but not idolize...this is a critical distinction.  Avoid anything that takes the place of God.

John continues:

For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. v16-17

John echoes what God provides the Israelites from the Ten Commandments:

You shall have no other gods before me.

“You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. Exodus 20:3-4

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love and compassion for me.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love and compassion.  I use my words inappropriately.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal her of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.