1 John 4:12-13 - "No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit."
We are continuing in the study of what Abiding in Christ means, we have come to the understanding that abiding in Christ means that a person walks and is in fellowship with Him. We already noted the words of the prophet Amos - "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?" If we are in fellowship with God, we are walking with Christ in an intimate and continual way. Our verse minds us that if we are abiding in Christ, we live love others and live and walk in love toward others.
The world is looking for something different. They have heard all the promises. They have been given all the hype. They watch and watch - and yet they do not see anything different in today's Christian churches than what they can find in the social clubs, social organizations, and other activities. What do we have to offer that is so different?
We understand that we have eternal life - but we live in a world that only sees the here and now. So, if we want to attract those around us, they need to see physical manifestations that we are abiding in Christ. And they will see this if we live a love that displays love for our fellow man. We are not to be focused on ourselves. It is not what we want in the world - it is what God wants to do in His world. When we spend time arguing, gossiping, talking behind each other's backs, putting others down, leaving people out, doing anything but what we see Jesus doing in the New Testament, we are not showing love. And, according to our verse - God dwells in us when we love one another.
Today, muse over how you can show love to that person you have recently shown contempt or lack of concern for. Can you help them see Jesus by letting Him work through you?
The world is looking for something different. They have heard all the promises. They have been given all the hype. They watch and watch - and yet they do not see anything different in today's Christian churches than what they can find in the social clubs, social organizations, and other activities. What do we have to offer that is so different?
We understand that we have eternal life - but we live in a world that only sees the here and now. So, if we want to attract those around us, they need to see physical manifestations that we are abiding in Christ. And they will see this if we live a love that displays love for our fellow man. We are not to be focused on ourselves. It is not what we want in the world - it is what God wants to do in His world. When we spend time arguing, gossiping, talking behind each other's backs, putting others down, leaving people out, doing anything but what we see Jesus doing in the New Testament, we are not showing love. And, according to our verse - God dwells in us when we love one another.
Today, muse over how you can show love to that person you have recently shown contempt or lack of concern for. Can you help them see Jesus by letting Him work through you?
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