April 16, 2018
1 John 3:10-16 New Living Translation (NLT)
The Lord knows all things about those who belong to him. He knows the sincerity of our hearts. He knows the words we speak. He knows our attitudes and actions toward other people. He knows because as believers he lives in us. That is why he convicts us when we are not acting in love toward one another. He looks for agreement between the love we have received from him and the love we actually extend to others. When there is a discrepancy; the Spirit convicts us of unrighteousness.
In our passage today, the Apostle Paul tells us “we know.” What do we know? We know what real love is because real love has been extended to us in Christ. We know when we are operating in that love and when we are not because the Holy Spirit corrects us. We know when others are operating in that love and when they are not, because our hearts are grieved and wounded. We know. So, let’s stop pretending to love people and really love them even when it calls for a sacrifice. Let’s love others the way Christ loves us. You belong to him…serve him, get into agreement with him, and make him Lord! However, with that decision, be prepared for the world to hate you and Satan to make you a target for trials. Satan wants you to stop loving like Christ, because the love of Christ changes and restores everything it touches. Christ’s love makes all things new.