- Nothing But The Blood
- Raised With Christ
- It Is Well
Christians are children of God, but no Christian is an "only child”.
BIG TRUTH: Christians are expected to live in purity & love one another.
David Allen “LOVE IS THE circulatory system of the church. If the arteries of love get clogged, the church is in danger of spiritual cardiac arrest.”
Love One Another
As was the case with Cain, who murdered his own brother, the actions of those who DO what is RIGHT convict those who do what is WRONG. Those who DON’T want to submit to authorities often want to distance themselves from those who DO - especially if they are running from the ULTIMATE JUDGE - the Creator of all.
So, do not be surprised, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. John got this teaching from Jesus.
Christians should expect to get shots fired at us from a Christ-less culture. But, what about when we receive ‘friendly fire’ - from those who are supposed to be on the same team?
How do YOU treat fellow Christians?
Our love for our fellow Christians is a gauge for the condition of our souls! John equates the person who claims Christ yet hates his brother or sister with Cain murdering Abel! Where do you suppose John got this from? Jesus said.
Matthew 5:21–24 You have heard that it was said to our ancestors, Do not murder, and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. But I tell you, everyone who is angry with his brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Whoever insults his brother or sister, will be subject to the court. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to hellfire. So if you are offering your gift on the altar, and there you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled with your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift.
- Our Heavenly Father expects His children to make things right and act like FAMILY!
- Do you LOVE your Christian brothers and sisters? Is there a brother/sister you need to go to make things right? If you won’t go, then WHO ARE YOU DISOBEYING?
We SHOULD communicate LOVE with our words, but our love must be more than words. When a fellow believer needs help, and we can, we should. May we encourage them with words and love them with our actions.
Christians are expected to live in purity & love one another.
Does your heart ever condemn you? Sometimes that’s a GOOD THING!
God uses conscience as an internal warning to get us to respond to His discipline - for His glory and for our good.
What about the times when we are attempting to follow Jesus faithfully and our hearts condemn us? How can we KNOW that we know Him?
When Christians live in purity and love one another, we can simply TRUST that God is greater than our hearts - we trust what God says is over how we feel.
Trust and Obey
(v1) When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
(v3) Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet.
Or we'll walk by His side in the way.
What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
What are the benefits when we TRUST & OBEY God?
When we believe in Jesus, we trust Him - when we trust Him, we keep His commands - when we keep His commands, this pleases God. This is a picture of love and loyalty, resulting in our confidence before God and God answers our prayers!
Do YOU have confidence that you are in a right relationship with God? IF NOT…then here’s what needs to happen:
John tells his audience to believe in Jesus and keep His commands = Trust and Obey Jesus and to love one another the way Jesus has commanded us to.
