1 John 3:1-24
As a child of God, the big message for me from 1 John 3 was about how I need to be loving others. Verse 18 really hit the nail on the head. "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." This verse tells me that loving others requires action on my part. Now sometimes that action will be spontaneous and spur of the moment, but other times my showing love will come through planning and intentionality. Both are important and part of living as a loving child of God.
So think back over the past week. Would the people you spent time with describe you as a loving child of God? Now think of one person in your family, one person at work, and one person from your church who need love. What is something you can do for each of them this week? Tami W.
I think people would. My wife is my best friend, and she is having some difficulties in college, so I try to be there as a good Christian husband to let her know I am proud of her and that doing her best is all that matters, and what the Lord wants. I am presently unemployed, got out of surgery yesterday, but have a job interview at the college tomorrow, so that may change. At church, last Sunday the leader of our benevolence and mission team came to the church body and told us another church in our towns food bank was empgy, so when I was at the store, even though being unemployed, I bought food to donate to them, because the Lord always provides for me and mine, and I felt the Holy Spirit compelling me to help others in need.Sometimes, it's the little things that we do that are what the Lord wants us to do.
While I was reading I kept thinking love everybody including those who hurt you. I thought easier said than done.
Loving that way brings pain or at least makes us vulnerable to it. Many years back I made a concious effort to stop caring/loving as much, and it worked, however I found myself drifting further from God as the time passed by.
God is love and if we harden our heart we automatically shut him out too, even if it isn't our intention.
This passage is a constant reminder that as children of God, we can't live without LOVE.
I find the passage very confusing. When I read something I don't get yet I always remind myself I can't think like God because of my sinfulness so He will have to clarify this for me. I know I still sin. I know I love the Lord. I know He is gracious. I know He is righteous. I know I would love to be perfect but if I was then I wouldn't need Jesus. Such a quaundry. Help me understand Lord.
I think they would - I made breakfast and other meals for an aging family member. We also shared each other's company, as we talked about things from her earlier years - we both enjoyed this time together. I believe I can show my son love by assisting him with preparing his clothing for work...he is now working two jobs. (Hectic!) This may sound simple, but yesterday, I ironed some of his shirts and trousers.
It hurts me so much to see so little love in this world. i have gone back to the office building I used to work over six years ago and it was so sad seeing that people no longer cared for each other. They were happy to see me or so it seemed, but so many things we used to do together to uplift each other and ease the stress is no longer there. It breaks my heart and all I can do is pray for these people and hope.
I love calling up my family and friends or just sending an email to tell them I love them or share an inspirational message.
I call up church brothers and sisters who are unable to come to church just to find out how they are. The church makes visits to private or nursing home every Tuesday unless something else happens. The persons are so happy for the visit and look forward to their particular day.
When someone complains about another person I will ask the person to pray for the person because sometimes we do not know what someone is going through.
We have to take Jesus seriously when He says, " Ye have heard that it hath been said THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do god to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecue you" Matthew 5:43-44 (KJV)
It works!
If I do not know the person really well; I pray for them. If I know them well enough as not to embarrass them , I will ask them how I can be of service.
Several years ago I started the 'ritual' of singing praises to God as I drive to work. Then I added the hymn "make me a blessing" (to someone today). It's amazing the people God puts in my path. Sometimes it's as simple as visiting with people where I work or people I see on the street-sometimes it's a little more time consuming. I look forward to each day and how it unfolds. I'm never disappointed!
Thank you for that inspirational tip, Trisha. I was wondering how I can show more love because I seem so selfish and this has given me a "thing to do". The world is so cruel, judgmental, uncaring and self-absorbed; it is really important for our Christian witness to be different from that - to choose to be salt and light to friend and enemy alike.