1 John 3:18-24 Commentary
Verse 18: Love in Action
"Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth."
In this verse, John emphasizes the importance of demonstrating love through actions, not just words. It is easy to talk about love, but true love is shown through tangible acts of kindness, compassion, and service to others. John's exhortation is a call to put love into practice, making it a lived experience rather than just a theoretical concept.
Verse 19-20: Assurance of Salvation
"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."
These verses offer a reassuring message to believers who may doubt their salvation. John reminds them that God is greater than their hearts, which may accuse them of sin. The assurance of salvation does not come from our own feelings or emotions but from God's knowledge of everything. This knowledge brings a sense of peace and confidence in God's presence.
Verse 21-22: Confidence Before God
"Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him."
When we live a life of obedience to God's commands, we can have confidence in our relationship with Him. This confidence is not based on our own righteousness but on God's goodness and faithfulness. As a result, we can approach God with boldness and expect to receive from Him what we ask, according to His will.
Verse 23-24: Abiding in God
"And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. The one who keeps God's commands lives in him, and he in God."
In these final verses, John summarizes the core of Christian living: believing in Jesus Christ and loving one another. When we abide in God by obeying His commands, we experience the reciprocal indwelling of God in us. This mutual indwelling is the essence of the Christian life, marked by love, obedience, and fellowship with God and others.
In conclusion, 1 John 3:18-24 emphasizes the importance of demonstrating love through actions, finding assurance of salvation in God's knowledge, living with confidence before God, and abiding in Him through obedience and love. May these words of John inspire us to live a life that honors God and manifests His love to the world.
