The church’s witness for Jesus Christ rises and falls with Christian practice of loving one another while living in a world that hates them. This week’s passage in 1 John 3:11-18 will explore the true child of God’s relationship to love and hate as well as provide an exhortation to ensure that our love moves beyond sentiment to sacrificial action for the good of others, especially those in the family of God.

The seeker sensitive movement in the American evangelical church has preached a water down gospel and produced a plethora of cultural Christians. This has both damaged the witness of Jesus Christ and also robbed many from finding true life in Christ. This week’s passage examines the problem and origin of sin, the work of Christ, and what sin and righteousness reveal about the true nature of a person. The application of the passage will lead some to recognize their need to respond to the true gospel and will spur on all true children of God to pursue progressive growth in righteousness.

There is perhaps not greater benefit of the gospel than that we become children of God through our faith in Jesus Christ. This not an elementary truth, but the climax of the gospel in bringing us into an intimate relationship with the Father where we will enjoy the glory today of being His children and the future of glory of becoming like Him. All of the unhappiness we experience in life comes from a failure to put our present conditions in the context of this glorious truth.

Within the heart of 1 John as a letter urging us to increase our intimacy with God, John give us a warning to be on guard to spot lies around us, and when necessary, spot the liar. Are you ready and mature enough in your study of truth to spot the lie and the liar?

Click to see the video illustration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2BZNowCXws

When we reduce the person and work of Jesus to a baby who was born and a man who died on the cross we miss out on the remainder of the work of our divine rescuer. This Christmas Eve, we will look at not only what Jesus came to do on earth, but also what He continues to do as our risen Savior.

As we look back at 2020 and remember all that has happened we are reminded of all the unrest, trouble, and brokenness that is in our world; and not just in our world but in and all around us. We are desperately in need of one to come and make things right, to make things whole, to bring peace.

John tells us not to love the world because the things of the world or not from the Father. When we love the things of the world it separates us from fellowship from the Father. Is it possible to love God and live for the things of the world?