Devotion :: 1 John 3:23-24

Read :: 1 John 3:23-24

The Apostle John reminds us, ever so simply, of one of our Lord's commandments as born-again believers: love one another.

As believers we are to keep the commands of the Lord Jesus, which we are enabled to do through Christ abiding in us, that is, the Holy Spirit.

So how do we obey this command of the Lord Jesus, as born-again believers?

Jesus teaches us how to love in the Sermon on the Mount: "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them" (Mat 7:12).

This is easier read than done – especially if someone has broken our trust, hurt us or has bad character.

Praise God he has given us his Word, and the Holy Spirit, who enables us to love others perfectly as Christ taught in the Sermon on the Mount!

Now love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit; and the word of God is our light and truth.

To love one another then, as Christ taught, through the enabling of the Holy Spirit and our knowledge of the Word, we must:

1. Listen to the Holy Spirit: He prompts us and guides us into all truth, convicts us, and gives us discernment by measuring the fruits of the Holy Spirit and the light of God's Word, against the works of the flesh – when we listen He tells us how to respond to others (Gal 5:16-25).
2. Act: step-forward faithfully and do, choosing to act in love and obeying Christ's teaching – for example, we want others to help us, so we must help; we need encouragement, so we must encourage; we seek forgiveness, we must forgive; we want advice, we must give advice. This is walking in the Holy Spirit's leading (Jam 1:22 / 2:20 / Gal 5:25 / Psalm 34:14).

When we do this, the power of the Holy Spirit comes forth and enables us to love like Christ in peace and joy and selflessness, bearing the glorious fruit of the Lord.

Others will be loved and blessed, we will reap the love that we sow, and grow deeper in our relationships with Christ!