Off the Shelf Sunday School--1 John
Warren Mueller
Christian Author & Lake Ecosystem Scientist. Manager Environmental Assessments at Ameren (Retired).
Christian Conduct (3:16-24)
This 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. If anyone has material possessions and see his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him.?And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. Those who obey his commands live 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.?
?1.????Jesus lived for the good of others. He performed healing miracles and ultimately gave his life so that those who believe in him will be perfected in holiness. This is love (,) to sacrifice for the benefit of others because you care deeply for them. Christians are to follow the example of Jesus and live for the benefit of others. This is what it means to be crucified with Christ yet live. (Gal 2:20) How has God changed your life to make you more loving towards others and take actions to help them?
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2.????John says that helping others must include actions and not just words. When we are praying for others, we must ask God what we can do. Praying to relieve ourselves of guilt or to think we have done our duty, is not enough.
3.????It is our actions that show the reality of our faith. When we live in obedience to God’s commands, we feel the joy of the Lord and we sense his pleasure with us. Love burns within and confirms the presence of the Holy Spirit. (Mt 7:20-23; Jas 2:18)
4.????The Holy Spirit is our counselor who guides us and transforms us to be like Jesus. (Jn 14:26) The Holy Spirit works within believers, producing thanksgiving to the Father for his mercy and love for Jesus, who sacrificed for us. The Holy Spirit points us towards the Father and Son. How is this consistent with the love God wants us to have for others?