16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
17If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?
18Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth
- P40
23And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
24The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.- P41
The apostle John contrasts the world‘s hatred with the believer‘s call to love.
The example of Christ shows that true love is sacrificial, intentional, and ac-tive. Genuine Christian love is not proven by empty words but by tangibleaction, even to the point of laying down one‘s life. Many believers strugglewith the temptation to reduce love to polite speech, digital "likes," or goodintentions without sacrifice. In a culture of convenience, John‘s challengeto the church is all the more relevant. - P42
Our faith is evidenced by the kindof love Jesus showed: a love that meets needs, gives generously, and servessacrificially. Our faith is proven real through love in action.- P42
Dear heavenly Father, You are the God of love. Help me love You and my brothers and sisters sincerely with actions, not just with words or feelings. Make me more attentive to Your Spirit’s testimony that I belong to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.- P43
John continues to teach believers that they can find assurance before Godthrough love in action, obedience to His Word, and the Spirit‘s abidingpresence. Confidence before God does not rest in our personal feelings orperformance but in living out a faith rooted in Jesus Christ through loveand obedience. Many Christians wrestle with guilt, doubt, or self-condem-nation, especially when they feel their faith is weak. - P42
In a performance-driv-en culture, assurance is often tied to personal success of emotions. Johnreminds us that even if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than ourhearts. We can rest in who God is for us, obey His command to believe inJesus, and to love one another. Let us trust His Spirit‘s witness as assuranceof our abiding in Christ.- P42
