I John 3:16-18

I John 3

16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

The book of first John focuses a lot on love. John happens to be called the disciple that Jesus loved. We know from the gospels that we now have to commands- to love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. But what does loving others really look like?

According to verse 16, we know love because of Christ’s sacrifice for us. Through Christ freely giving his life for us, we know what real love is. The second half of verse 16 makes it clear that Christ’s love for us is the standard with which we should love others; it says we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

Verse 17 continues on this thought. It says if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? In other words, if we see someone in need, and we have the means to help but don’t, is God’s love even in us? If we truly love one another as we are commanded, we are willing to give of our gifts, talents, time, money, and resources to help others.

Verse 18 says let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. In other words, we show our love for others through action. It isn’t enough to just say you love others, love them in deed and in truth. We love them according to Scripture and help them through Scripture since that is the only truth.

I John 2:28

I John 2

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.

Are you ready for the return of Christ for His saints? Or to meet Him in glory if that time were to come for you soon? We never know when it will be our turn to meet Jesus face to face. That should be exciting!!

In verse 28 of I John 2, it talks about not being ashamed when Christ returns. It says abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If abiding in Him is what makes us confident, it is not abiding in Him that would make us shameful.

If Christ were to come at this very moment, would you be ready to confidently meet Him? Would you be excited to show Him how you’ve invested your time, how you’ve lived your life, and the fruit the spirit in you has produced? Or would you be ashamed that you didn’t do more, you were not completely devoted to Him, or about a lack of growth in your life? Would you be comfortable with where you are, what you are doing, what you are wearing, and who you are spending your time with?

The good news is, we know exactly how to be ready for His coming. Abide in Him. What does this mean exactly? Live in a personal relationship with Christ. Walk the way He walked. Live according to His two commandments. Examine your choices each day to make sure you are ultimately heading closer to Him. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to share the gospel or show the love of Christ. Live as an example to others and engross yourself in the teaching of God’s Word. Abide in Him- Live in Him.

I John 1:5-7

I John 1

5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.

In this passage of First John, verse five begins saying that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. The light and dark in this verse are a metaphor for good and evil, or truth and sin. God is completely good. He is perfect. Righteous. Sinless. There is nothing that exists in Him that is contrary to those things.

Verse six says that if we say we have fellowship with God while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. This verse calls out Christians that are living in sin but claiming spirituality or growth. First, it is important to note that it says walk in darkness. This does not imply a one time sin, but rather repetitive sin. If you are living in that kind of sin, it says that you cannot have fellowship with God. Why? Because He is completely light. He cannot partake in our darkness.

Verse seven reminds us that if we walk in the light, like God is light, we have fellowship one with another (fellowship with God and other believers), and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. If we live a life striving to walk in the light- in righteousness, in the commandments and teachings of Christ… God is with us and Christ cleanses us from our sin. Yes- it is clear we still sin, otherwise the last part of this verse wouldn’t be needed. But by repenting of (and turning away from) that sin, we find forgiveness and freedom in Christ.

We cannot live in sin and have true fellowship from God. Repent and walk in the light. 

II Peter 1:5-9

II Peter 1

5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9 For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a fruitful, effective Christian? The first chapter of second Peter lays it out for us. In verse eight it says that if these qualities (the ones from verses 5-7) are in you and increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, they are evidence of your continual and steady growth in Christ.

However, if these qualities aren’t in you, verse nine says then you are someone that has forgotten that they were cleansed from sin. Salvation happened and you went on your way, living the day to day without much thought of growing in Christ.

So what are these essential qualities?

Make every effort to supplement your faith…- (vs. 5)- first of all, you have to have faith in Christ as your Savior and the payment of your sins. You must trust Him for salvation and live according to His grace.

Supplement your faith with virtue- (vs. 5)- virtue can also be described as excellence, righteousness, or goodness. It is something that describes you as above reproach, unable to even be accused of sin. Biblical virtues are things like purity, grace, humility, generosity, etc.

and virtue with knowledge- (vs. 5)- supplement virtue with knowledge. Knowledge gained from searching out Scripture and knowing how to live according to God’s Word.

and knowledge with self-control- (vs. 6)- supplement your knowledge with self-control- self-control in all things. This includes not being addicted to or controlled by anything, self-control in how you speak, act, and treat others.

and self-control with steadfastness- (vs. 6)- add to this steadfastness- this is a firm, steady faith in God that does not waver. It isn’t double minded or rocked by doubt. It is continually progressing and doesn’t wait for only mountain top experiences to grow with God. A steadfast person is consistent.

and steadfastness with godliness- (vs. 6)- what is godliness? Literally becoming god-like. Not that we will ever become a diety, but we should strive to live like Christ’s example when He was here on Earth as fully man and fully God. Not sure what this means? Take some time to examine his life in the gospels.

and godliness with brotherly affection- (vs. 7)- brotherly affection is a genuine care for fellow believers. It puts others first and truly loves others like you love yourself. It is not full of gossip, malice, backstabbing, hatred, or even dislike.

and brotherly affection with love- (vs. 7)- Finally, add to all of these love. Love for God. Love for one another. Let a Godly love be your motivating factor for everything, rather than selfish or vain ambitions.  

I Peter 5:5-6

I Peter 5

5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you

Humility can be a difficult quality. It puts others before you and counts yourself as least. In this passage, Peter discusses humility and gives us a great promise.

Verse five begins saying to the younger, be subject to your elders. This is in no way demeaning to younger people. It also isn’t saying that your elders always know more than you or are always right. But it is saying to respect them. To humble yourself before them. To acknowledge that they do indeed have wisdom from life experiences that you don’t have yet.

In other places, the Bible says that the younger should learn from the older. In a world that teaches us to avoid authority, sneak past our elders, and to neglect seniors, the Bible clearly commands the opposite. Take time to get to know people that are older than you so you can glean from their wisdom. Honor and respect your elders with a humble attitude. (Note, there is no age limit to this! This is a lesson that applies even late into life).

Verse five continues saying clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humility is something according to this passage that we must put on, even if we aren’t naturally humble.

We aren’t just humble towards ourselves; after all, self-deprecation is not the same thing as humility. We are humble to each other. We must esteem others and put them before ourselves. This is completely the 2^nd great commandment in action. Love others as you love yourself. Put them first.

Why should you do this? God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. We all need God’s grace, but when we act in pride, we are saying that we don’t. We fail to acknowledge God and we make ourselves lords of our own lives.

Verse six gives a great promise. It says humble yourself under the mighty hand of God so that at the right time, He will exalt you. You don’t have to puff yourself up or speak about your own great skills and attributes. God will exalt you when the time is right. Be a humble, willing servant. Let God handle the rest.