| Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. – I John 4:7 |
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| A Mark of Salvation is our LOVE for OTHERS. The Apostle John is very concise and direct in his writings as he conveys what it means to be a believer. His purpose for writing 1 John is stated in 1 John 5:13. It reads, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.” Thus, as one reads through the five chapters of 1 John one is going to read about the actions of a true believer. Before we probe into our verse for the date let me point out that 1 John is the go-to letter for helping a person have the ASSURANCE of salvation. Whenever I have dealt with a person doubting their salvation I have them read 1 John as it will either CONVINCE them that they are saved or it will CONVICT them that they are not saved. 1 John 4:7 is a verse that helps a person determine if they are really a believer and if they are really saved. As John instructs believers (beloved) to love one another he also makes it clear that what he is instructing them is something that is already happening because if one is born of God and knows God they will be loving one another. As the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4:9 loving others starts happening with a believer because God goes to teaching this the moment one is saved. I Thess. 4:9 says, “But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.” If you are a believer your heart has changed toward God and toward others. Now that Christ indwells you and you are a child of God (Galatians 4:6-7 “And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father! 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”) your heart will be like the heart of God which LOVES, loving even to the point of sacrificing for sinners so they may be saved. (Romans 5: 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.) How do you know you are a believer? You now love people that you may never ever thought you would love. How do others know you are a believer? The answer to this question reveals one of the reasons John is so resonant about believers loving one another. In his gospel, he tells what Jesus conveyed to them shortly before heading out to go to the cross. You may recall that Jesus gave a new commandment. He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) Loving others can be (is) at times very challenging and difficult. One of my guiding principles is “the time a person needs love the most is the time they deserve it the least.” I wrote this principle based on when God loved me the most, He loved me when I deserved it the least. Again, we look at Romans 5:8 as “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” If we are truly loving others with the actions that describe love from 1 Corinthians 13 (the love chapter) and loving others like Christ loved us then we will be demonstrating love to fellow believers who don’t deserve it but need it! When this is happening we can know that we are believers. Verse to DATE the Word on April 7 (4/7) is 1 John 4:7. It says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” Power quote: The time a person needs love the most is when they deserve it the least. Continue Strong LOVING ONE ANOTHER And remember to DATE the WORD PS Here are a few other verses for April 7 (4/7) you might want to consider: Proverbs 4:7 Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding. 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Philippians 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 1 Peter 4:7 But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. 2 Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. Galatians 4:7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ. |