As part of our midweek Bible study last night at church, we looked at I John 3:10.
Wow.
It poked us all in the eyes.
Not so much that we were convicted of non-compliance but instead in the sense that so many people say they love others, but might not really mean it in a biblical, always-put-others-first sense.
Here’s what the Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle John to write:
“This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.” (I John 3:10)
John doesn’t beat around the bush here, that’s for sure.
If I do what is right and I show genuine Christian love to my Christian brothers and sisters, I’m a child of God.
If I buy into the lie that having a favorite sin or a bitter spirit toward somebody is not a problem, then I’m a child of the devil.
Like I said… wow.
It’s important to understand that John was speaking to the motive of the heart.
Remember, Romans 3:23 tells us that all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. So John’s words aren’t speaking about the presence of sin in our lives. It’s evident to me that he’s talking about the prevailing intentions of the heart whether in our actions or our attitudes toward other believers.
One of us might say or write something hurtful to a brother or sister in Christ, but that doesn’t mean we are absent of love. Instead, we momentarialy absent of good judgment and Christlike behavior.
If that brother or sister comes upon hard times, though, our love for them compels us to help them however we can. That’s what God desires from us. And the absence of such an attitude reflects the absence of surrender to our heavenly Father.
That’s why John wrote what he did.
If we have an obedient attitude toward God and a serving heart toward His children, we show He’s our Father.
Life in His family is so much better in this life and the next, so let’s strive to always do what’s right and always love — truly love — our brothers and sisters in Christ.
As always, I love you
Martin
