Women in Discipleship (sm)

Weekly Devotionals 2006

 

Week 11

 

When I was in grade school, Friday's were challenging. Tests came at the end of each week. I had a hard time. It took serious study to make the grade. This life lesson of youth is something I have never forgotten.

 

John writes this epistle for our practical application. We will see in the weeks to come a series of "tests" of faith in the lived out life of a believer. The commandments referred to last week take on practical application this week.

 

Test one demonstrates the difference between love and hate, light and darkness. Where Christ is only Light can exist.

 

The test: Do I practice love for others? The mark of a true believer will be seen in "forgiveness" and practicing the love of Christ in our daily life.

 

A true believer is filled with love. There is no need for hate in the believer's heart. The Light of Christ will extinguish hate every time. (1:7)

 

True fellowship in Christ gives to us a bond of love. If the world shows love yet hate exists so much more must we put aside all hatred of others and desire evangelistic love to be poured forth. We all were there at one time, lost in trespasses and sin. Then Jesus came and saved us! This is the story of true love.

 

Blindness is in hatred. Sight is in love. Jesus made himself sin for us so that we might become righteousness before God. Let's not fool ourselves into righteousness. False prophets, false brethren, unbelievers, evil men…all are lost and need the love of Jesus.

How can I loving the unlovely today? Who do I need to be reconciled too?

 

We are all sinners, saved by grace. May we all be faithful in the practice of brotherly love.

May Christ's love be evident in each of us today,

Sandra Davis for the team at Women in Discipleship