Faith in Action
1 John 3: 11-24
Jeff Unsworth
1 John 3:11 For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we are to love one another;
12 not as Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And for what reason did he murder him?
Because his own deeds were evil, but his brother’s were righteous.
We should not be like Cain but be like Abel. Cain belonged to his father the devil and did the works of his father.
Abel was righteous and did the works of his Father who is God.
Our example is Christ Himself. In John 10:37-38, Jesus argues that his actions and miracles are evidence of his divine identity and relationship with the Father.
Jesus asserts that his miracles and teachings are a direct result of his Father's power and authority. He is not speaking on his own authority, but rather the Father is actively working through him.
Other passages, like Matthew 7:21 and 12:50, also emphasize the importance of doing God's will, even if one professes to be a follower. Jesus states that not everyone who calls him "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of his Father.
1 John 3:13 Do not be surprised, brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.
14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers and sisters. The one who does not love remains in death.
We know as Christians that the things we believe and say is contrary to what the world says and does. It soon becomes very obvious that we are different. When we see hatred between brother and brother and sister against sister. Jesus told us that this would become worse and worse in the last days.
Jesus in the sermon on the mount went deeper, when He said “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer”.
John repeats Jesus words.
1 John 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.
However, it is not good enough to say that we don’t hate our brethren. We must show it in our actions.
Jesus showed us the way by laying down His life for us.
16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers and sisters.
We too, must show our love by doing the same. Our love should be evident by our actions.
1 John 3:17 But whoever has worldly goods and sees his brother or sister in need, and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God remain in him?
18 Little children, let’s not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.
We should fulfil “The Royal Law”.
The "royal law" refers to the command to "love your neighbour as yourself". This is a cornerstone of Christian ethics and is identified as the second greatest commandment, only after loving God, according to Jesus Christ in Matthew 22:37-40. The royal law is emphasized in James 2:8, where it's presented as a way to fulfil God's law.
Some interpretations suggest "royal" in this context signifies the importance and authority of the commandment, akin to a king's decree.
James continues in his letter:
James 2:14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?
17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
This is real faith, one that produces works. Faith does not come by works but work proceed from faith.
Without faith, it is impossible to please God.
James continues: 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
This is how we know that we are of the true faith, by following the example of our Saviour, by exercising our faith and doing the works of God.
1 John 3:19 We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will set our heart at ease before Him,
20 that if our heart condemns us, that God is greater than our heart, and He knows all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God;
22 and whatever we ask, we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.
Believing in Jesus Christ and loving others are fundamental commands given by God. It is essential to have trust and confidence in Jesus as the Son of God and to understand the significance of His sacrifice for our sins. Love and belief in Jesus go hand in hand, and failing to adhere to these commands means not truly understanding His teachings or having the love of God in our hearts.
1 John 3:23 This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.
24 The one who keeps His commandments remains in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He remains in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
This passage highlights the intimate relationship between believers and God, emphasizing the role of the Holy Spirit in enabling this connection. It emphasizes that this unity is not earned through actions, but rather received as a gift from God, signified by the presence of his Spirit within believers. The Spirit serves as a guide, empowering individuals to live in accordance with God's will, fostering faith and love in their hearts.
Conclusion:
1 John 3:11-24 emphasizes the fundamental commandment of loving one another, rooted in the example of Christ, who laid down His life for humanity.
The passage contrasts the nature of love with hatred, illustrating that those who do not love are akin to Cain, who committed the first murder out of jealousy.
It stresses that true love is demonstrated through actions and not merely words, urging believers to support one another materially and spiritually. Furthermore, it reassures the faithful that their confidence before God stems from living in
accordance with His commandments, which include loving others and believing in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ.
This section culminates in the promise of the Holy Spirit, who empowers believers to abide in love and righteousness, affirming the importance of community and mutual support in the Christian faith.
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