Following the Commands of Christ

Jesus Is Lord
Victory in Jesus
Christ's Love for the Church

1 John 3:18-24

The Message

When We Practice Real Love

^18-20 My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.

^21-24 And friends, once that’s taken care of and we’re no longer accusing or condemning ourselves, we’re bold and free before God! We’re able to stretch our hands out and receive what we asked for because we’re doing what he said, doing what pleases him. Again, this is God’s command: to believe in his personally named Son, Jesus Christ. He told us to love each other, in line with the original command. As we keep his commands, we live deeply and surely in him, and he lives in us. And this is how we experience his deep and abiding presence in us: by the Spirit he gave us.

For Reflection

Belove God.  Belove Jesus.  Practice love.  End self-debilitating practices.  Live your life deeply in Him.

Pray

that you will thank God every day, every hour, every second that He is in charge of your life.  Pray for courage to rise above the human culture.  Pray for courage to face each day as God intends for you.