1 John 3:11-24: Living a Life of Love
Introduction
In 1 John 3:11-24, the apostle John emphasizes the importance of living a life of love, just as God has loved us. This passage serves as a reminder that our faith is not just about believing in God, but also about demonstrating His love to others.
I. The Commandment to Love (1 John 3:11-12)
A. The Old Commandment (1 John 3:11)
- "This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another." (1 John 3:11)
- The commandment to love is not a new concept; it has been the foundation of our faith from the beginning.
B. The Reason for This Commandment (1 John 3:12)
- "Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous." (1 John 3:12)
- The example of Cain serves as a warning to us. When we choose to hate and harm others, we are following in the footsteps of the evil one.
II. The Evidence of Eternal Life (1 John 3:13-15)
A. The Hatred of the World (1 John 3:13)
- "Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you." (1 John 3:13)
- As followers of Christ, we should expect the world to hate us, just as it hated Him.
B. The Evidence of Eternal Life (1 John 3:14-15)
- "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death." (1 John 3:14)
- "Anyone who hates a brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life residing in him." (1 John 3:15)
- Our love for one another is a clear indication of our eternal life in Christ. On the other hand, hatred towards others is a sign of spiritual death.
III. The Confidence of Eternal Life (1 John 3:16-24)
A. The Example of Christ (1 John 3:16)
- "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." (1 John 3:16)
- Jesus' sacrifice on the cross is the ultimate example of love. We are called to follow His example by laying down our lives for others.
B. The Confidence of Eternal Life (1 John 3:17-24)
- "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 tongue but with actions and in truth." (1 John 3:17-18)
- Our love for others should be demonstrated through our actions, not just our words.
- "This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." (1 John 3:19-20)
- When we demonstrate love and kindness towards others, we can be confident that we belong to the truth and that God is greater than our hearts.
Conclusion
Living a life of love is not an option for Christians; it is a commandment from God. As we demonstrate love and kindness towards others, we demonstrate our gratitude for the love that God has shown us. Let us strive to live a life that reflects the love of God, just as Jesus has loved us.
