February 14th

February 14th

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 4:16-17 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.

1 John 2:5-6 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

We must live as Jesus did…Does this mean we have to walk around wearing sandals and a tunic, fasting for 40 days, wandering the countryside, preaching and calling others to follow us? No, it means that we love, we forgive, we show mercy, we are humble, we serve, we put others first, we give to the poor, show kindness to the less fortunate, respect everyone regardless of socioeconomic status and so on. Basically, we live opposite of the way everyone else in the world does. No, it does not mean tolerance and condoning behavior that is contrary to the Bible, but it does mean kindness, full of grace, seasoned with salt. It means speaking the truth in love.

Ephesians 4:15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

It means living out that love and Truth in our lives, talk is cheap, we have to live it!

1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

The gospel says that they will know we are Christians by our love, our fruit. It doesn’t say they will know just because of what we say. We have to BE love to the world, the love of Jesus, that is. Our words can’t contradict our life either. We can’t claim to walk with Him and live the opposite way.

1 John 1:5-7 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 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, purifies us from all sin.

So being “in Him” means to display Christ Jesus in our lives. This comes about through spending time with Him, surrender, and allowing the Holy Spirit to sanctify us/transform us. I would encourage you this week to read 1 John and let it soak in to your heart.

Jesus, thank you for including me in your plan. Thank you for your love and for showing us your love instead of just telling us about it. Thank you that your love is personal, for me, not just in general for everyone. Help me to display your love in my life. Help me to be “in you” always. Thank you for your perfect love and your perfect plan, please help me to live it!

1 John 2:28 And now, dear children, continue in him, so that when he appears we may be confident and unashamed before him at his coming.