View Video Blog, Right Click Link: I John 3:23 (Part 2)
And this is his commandment,
that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just
as he has commanded us.
THE STUDY:
Some would
believe that there are two commandments in this verse; believe and love. But in
all reality these two are one in the same. Believing in the Son and loving one
another constitute one command. A single purpose clause connects them as one. You
cannot believe in Christ yet hate someone. The word “believe” in the Greek (pisteuo) means to have FAITH IN. The word “love” in the Greek (agapao) means to SHOW
LOVE. Basically this means, if we have “faith in” Christ we will show “love”
toward others. Faith that works flows from faith in Christ. If we have it we
will show it, and if we show it people will know we have it. True love is what separates
us from the world.
The presence
of the Spirit enables the Christian to receive God’s love and to respond to
this love with love to others. This emphasis parallels the exchange between
Jesus and “an expert in the law.” There eternal life is said to rest in supreme
love for God and selfless love for neighbors (Luke 10:25–28). John insists that
faith toward God will be evident in tangible love toward others.[1]
WHAT WE CAN WALK
AWAY WITH ….
- We walk away this morning with the understanding that belief in Christ should produce love for others. If we don’t love others we may not be one in Christ. We don’t expect anything in return from those we are showing love to. We are expected to LOVE! Loving one another is not an option but a commandment!
CONCLUSION:
Archbishop Usher was once wrecked on the
coast of Ireland, and almost destitute of clothing he wandered to the house of
a clergyman. The ecclesiastic was quite wary and somewhat cold and incredulous.
“How many commandments are there?” he suddenly asked, thinking to detect an
impostor.
“I can at once
satisfy you that I am not the ignorant imposter you take me for,” replied the
archbishop, “there are eleven commandments.” “No,” was the sneering comment,
“there are but ten commandments in my Bible. Tell me the eleventh and I will
give you all the help you need.” “There it is,” said the archbishop, pointing
to this verse: “A new commandment I give
unto you, that ye love one another as I have loved you.”
Blessings my friends
Pastor Rod
[1]
Williamson, R. (2010). 1, 2, & 3
John: A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition. New Beacon Bible Commentary
(129). Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press.
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