Scripture:
1 John 3:11-4:6
Thu, 20 January 2022

Overcoming Hate and Deception

Observation:

Why and how should we love one another as brothers and sisters in Christ?

Deeper Reflection
GOD HAS COMMANDED US TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS fellow believers in Christ (vv.11, 23). We are spiritual brothers and sisters in God’s family. God abides in us by His Spirit who indwells us and we abide in God by keeping His commandments (v.24), including the commandment to love one another. When we do so, we please our heavenly Father and receive His blessings (v.22). We can only genuinely love one another when God’s love abides in us. Without God’s love in our hearts, we will only profess our love, but be unable to prove it by action and giving practical help that costs us something (vv.17-18). In fact, our Lord Jesus has shown us the greatest example of love by laying down His life for us, and He calls us to even lay down our lives for one another (v.16). Sacrificial love through self-giving service to one another is solid evidence of our genuine faith in Christ and that we really have a relationship with God. If we find ourselves unable to humbly serve our fellow believers because we envy or hate them, we are in deep trouble! In God’s sight, those who hate their brothers and sisters are murderers like Cain54 (vv.12, 15). Would such people have an actual relationship with God and have passed from death to life (vv.14-15)? It should not surprise us that the world hates Christians for their beliefs (v.13), but it should surprise us that a Christian would hate another Christian. May the Holy Spirit grant us spiritual discernment to overcome any false teaching that opposes God’s Word (1 Jn 4:4).
54 See Genesis 4:8.
Application:

What will I commit to do this year to love my Christian brothers and sisters in my small group community, extended family, workplace or neighbourhood?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for Outreach/Missions/New Life leaders: To be filled with God’s love and share that with non-Christians through humble service and faithful witness
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for those in need
  • Pray for self

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Sun, 31 December 2023

Sunday Journal

Past Week’s Review
  • What was my high point and my low point for the week?
  • What gave me life and what drained me?
  • How was the Spirit of God at work?
Reflect

What is one key thing that God said to me this week in light of what has happened?

Respond

What is one thing I need to do in light of what God is saying?
Commit in prayer.

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