We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.
1 John 3:16 NLT
Often the challenge of following Jesus is to obey and follow through with His direction in our lives. John writes about this in very clear terms.
- “And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.” 1 John 3:5-6 NLT
- “Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous.” 1 John 3:7 NLT
- “But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8 NLT
- “Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.” 1 John 3:9 NLT
- “So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.” 1 John 3:10 NLT
- “This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.” 1 John 3:11 NLT
- “If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.” 1 John 3:14-15 NLT
Reflection
Following through with Jesus is critical. We are to adjust our lives away from sinning. We are to focus on loving others in sacrificial ways.
Encouragement
God is for us. He has adopted us as His children. He is showing us how to live through the example of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, thank You for reminding us of who we are and how we are to live. Thank You for reminding us not to accept any patterns of sin in our lives. Thank You for calling us to beautiful and sacrificial work of loving others.
In Jesus name, Amen