Reflections of 1 John 3:11-24

In the moments that you least expect it God shows up in BIG ways. I never cease to be amazed at the love of God displayed in the family of Christ. "For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another" (1 John 3:11).

Love is what dwells at the bottom of good deeds, for it is the prime motivation for one to do something righteous for another. Selfishness considers only one person, but selflessness considers others. This has been demonstrated for us by Christ on the cross, who even gave his life for his enemies. "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers" (1 John 3:16).

Those who love in word and speech (1 John 3:18) glorify themselves by praising others, but those whose hearts are pure glorify the Father because their intentions are pure. Deeds follow words. It is enough to love others as Christ loved us, for this is how we can know that we are of the truth (1 John 3:18-19). The command we have been given is to believe in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and to love one another (1 John 3:23).

I have known the love of Christ through other believers and have seen God's love displayed through the deeds that have been motivated by love. The question is how do we display our love for others - by word/talk or deed/truth? If you claim to be a believer and follower of Christ, this will be demonstrated by love. "Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us" (1 John 3:24).