My little children, let us not love in word,
neither in tongue; but indeed and in truth.
And hereby we know that we are of the truth,
and shall assure our hearts before Him.
For if our heart condemn us, God is greater
than our heart, and knoweth all things.
Beloved, if our heart condemn us not,
then have we confidence toward God.
1John 3:18-21
A problem that has grown in our world, especially here in the United States is that we use the word "love" for just about anything we like: i.e., we love our car, our dog, our home, our clothing, etc.... all which are inanimate objects and cannot love us back, that is a one-sided love. It is only a "like," even if it is a strong "like." We say to our spouses, and children, and even friends and family: "I love you." It may be true but it is only true if that love empowers us to do something for the other person. If not then it is more about your feeling good about yourself that you in some way love the other person. It may be true that you really love another person, especially a child or husband or wife, parents, even relatives, and this love is a true love. It is seen to be true for they are in your mind and in all that you do to do things for them: i.e., a grandparent that needs the house cleaned, or the yard maintained, or to take them to buy groceries, even to go so far that those who are on a limited fixed income have food, and clothing. It is important to take them out to a movie, to the lake, to the park, to do something with them that they like to do. How about taking the one you say you love to Church? John says to us that we are to love in deed, and in truth. If your Church is teaching the truth then if they cannot go on their own are you willing to take them to and from Church? Are you willing to invite them to a lunch with you? Will this take time and effort on your part? Yes! What else is so important? John is clear that if we are loving, not just in word, but in deed and truth then we can be assured that we are in the truth. Maybe, and I believe that most have had this thought: "I should have........" You feel ashamed, condemned by your own thoughts of failure, but, if this is true then you are in the truth and the truth is that when our hearts condemn us we can go to God knowing that He is greater than all our hurts and failures. Go to God in prayer and ask forgiveness, and not just ask for forgiveness then the next time do what is necessary for another person. You can have confidence toward God when we are doing that which God has commanded us, and even more we can know that God forgives. Therefore: "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight" (1John 3:22). Here then is the metric: Keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. What is the first and most important commandment? It is: "And this is His commandment, that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ.... (the second commandment)....and love one another as He gave us commandment" (1John 3:23). You begin with your belief in Jesus Christ and this belief is not a simple belief that Jesus is a Savior, rather it is an Authentic Christian belief that Jesus is your Savior and by this you convert your new life by doing His commandments. Do you want to know if Jesus, the Holy Spirit reside in you? If so then: "And he that keeps His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us, by the Spirit which He hath given us" (1John 3:24).
The keeping of God's commandments is surety that you have become and Authentic Christian. The keeping of God's commandments is that you put yourself ahead of others and not just speak good sounding words, rather to do and to do this in truth. Will it cost you? Yes! Is the cost too high? NO! Do you want joy? Then become a doer of truth and not just a speaker of truth. This is Authentic Christianity driven by Authentic Christian Faith. You do not earn salvation by your works but you do works because God first love you and sent His Son Jesus Christ to do for you what you cannot ever do for yourself. Can we not follow this example and do for others what they cannot do for themselves? Yes! Visit the sick, whether in a hospital, a convalescent home or in their home and sit with them, talk with them, and bring joy to them: they need it! You can give it! You will find great joy in doing for others, a joy that cannot be had by just words.
Now these are thy servants
and they people, whom
thou hast redeemed by thy
great power, and by thy
strong hand.
Nehemiah 1:10
Give real love to someone today
Richard L. Crumb
No comments:
Post a Comment