Bible Pathway - December 21
Read 1 John 4
Highlights:
How to try the spirits; the witnesses of our faith; asking and receiving.
Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world (1 John 4:17).
The believer who really takes Christ as his Guide will do as Jesus said. Love one another; as I have loved you . . . . By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:34-35). Loving others identifies us with Christ. Many ask the question: How am I to show the world that I am a believer? The answer is by letting the world see the love of Christ manifested in your life.
Scripture does not merely say that God loves us but that the love of God is hindered if we are unwilling to love everyone. If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another (1 John 4:11). We ought (are obligated) also to love one another, regardless of what they “may” have done to us. This is not the easiest thing to do at times. However, it is a great necessity for us to forgive others if we ourselves are to be forgiven. Think about it this way, Jesus forgave all the wrong we have ever done or will ever do in our lives. We need to be just as willing to forgive.
The subject in the twenty-one verses of this 4th chapter is of our responsibility as stewards of God's love. It is mentioned more than twenty-five times. In all of life could there be a more vital subject for our consideration? Is there anything more important in this world than showing the love of Christ to the lost and dying? The theme of the New Testament is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What is this gospel? The Gospel simplified is that we are loved so much by God that heaven gave up it's greatest treasure to provide our liberty from sin, death and hell. That great treasure of course was Jesus who laid down his life. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me (Gal. 2:20).
It is of utmost importance that we realize the consequences of an unforgiving attitude toward anyone. Jesus taught that our eternal destiny depends upon it. He tells us in the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matt. 18:21-35).
In fact we are to: Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (Matt. 5:44).
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar, for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? (1 John 4:20).
Thought for the Day: The very nature of love is to give up and forget self for the sake of others.
Word Studies:
5:18 he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, he that is saved will not become involved in sinful activities.
Prayer Suggestion: Confess wrongs you have committed to the Lord and to those whom you have hurt; ask for forgiveness (Matt. 5:23-24).
Memory Verse for the Week: Luke 1:50
