What is one key characteristic that might come to mind when you think of Christians? One might think of devoutness, or prayerfulness. For some it might be enthusiasm. Some non-believers might think of a few negative characteristics like hypocrisy. There is one characteristic that God’s Word says should exemplify every Christian, one that if absent might put a question as to the genuineness of one’s faith. That characteristic is love, love for one’s fellow believer, something that the Apostle John speaks of a lot in his first epistle. Let’s see what he has to say.
Right from the start of our Scripture passage the Apostle John does not mince any words. He is quite outspoken in telling us right from the start that if a believer does not love their fellow Christian brothers and sisters, they are abiding in death (vs. 14). What does he mean by that, abiding in death? All throughout the New Testament, we learn that once someone accepts the Lord Jesus as Savior, they move from Satan’s kingdom of darkness and death to God’s kingdom of light and life. If one abides in death, then they are obviously not a part of God’s kingdom. A lack of love indicates that one is spiritually dead. Love is a sure test of whether someone has been saved or is still in darkness. Love for the brethren must characterize the salvation profession. Otherwise our claims are false.
Next John echoes something that the Lord Jesus Himself said. Jesus spoke of how the law judges those who have killed another person, and then the Lord went on to say that if we are angry with someone, harboring animosity towards them, we will receive similar judgment from God, as that is the same thing in His eyes (Matthew 5:21-22). John states very plainly and unequivocally that if we hold a hatred of a brother, then it is just the same as if we have murdered him (vs. 15). If we hate someone, they may still be walking around, but we have murdered them in our heart. Hatred is spiritually the same as murder in the eyes of God. Outwardly we may not have broken the commandment not to kill, but inwardly we have. Outward compliance is not enough.
In the days of the early church, the pagan and unsaved people took notice of the early Christians, and how they loved each other and cared for and about each other. That was something unheard of in pagan cultures. They never cared about the poor and destitute among them. They cared only for themselves and their family, possibly their close friends, and that was it. However, those Christians loved others and cared for them, and it was noticed by society. The Apostle John tells us that if we see a fellow believer have a need, and we have the ability to help them, but don’t, we do not have God’s love in us (vs. 17).
The unsaved are marked by indifference towards others' needs. Genuine Christian love expresses itself in sacrificial giving to another Christians’ needs. It is a practical love that helps others. If a Christian doesn’t show his love to a fellow believer who has a need, by helping them as they are able, then there is a question about whether they genuinely have a saving relationship with the Lord, as their actions, or lack thereof, show that the love of God doesn’t abide in them.
This is very similar to what James said in his epistle, about showing our faith through our love and care for others (James 2:14-17). Real love is an action, not a feeling. It produces selfless, sacrificial giving. The highest proof of love is the sacrifice of that which is most precious. Jesus is our example in that (vs. 16). True, genuine Christian love demands action (vs. 18). Claiming to have love is not enough. Love is not words. Instead, it is deeds.
If God’s love is truly present in us, there should be evidence that we have answered prayer in our life, maybe not every single prayer, but consistent evidence of answered prayer (vs. 22). If our conscience is clear, we can come to God without fear, confident that our requests will be heard. God knows those who are truly His.
No comments:
Post a Comment