How does loving others reflect our belief in Jesus according to 1 John 3:23? The Heart of the Command “And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.” (1 John 3:23) The Twin Imperatives in 1 John 3:23 • Believe in the name of Jesus • Love one another Scripture does not treat these as two separate options but as one unified requirement. Belief and Love: Two Sides of the Same Coin • Believing in Jesus brings new birth (John 1:12-13). • That new birth implants God’s nature (2 Peter 1:4); God’s nature is love (1 John 4:8). • Therefore, genuine faith inevitably expresses itself through love (Galatians 5:6). Why Love Validates Faith 1. Love shows we have passed from death to life (1 John 3:14). 2. Love proves the indwelling of the Spirit (Romans 5:5). 3. Love fulfills Christ’s identifying mark for discipleship (John 13:34-35). 4. Love renders faith visible and fruitful (James 2:17; Matthew 7:16-18). Practical Ways to Reflect Jesus Through Love • Speak truth with grace (Ephesians 4:15). • Meet material needs when able (1 John 3:17-18). • Forgive quickly, just as God forgave us in Christ (Ephesians 4:32). • Encourage fellow believers daily (Hebrews 3:13). • Show hospitality without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9). • Pray for and bless those who oppose us (Matthew 5:44). Scriptures That Echo the Theme • John 15:12 – “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” • 1 John 4:20 – Love for God cannot exist apart from love for people. • Romans 13:10 – “Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” • Colossians 3:14 – Love binds every virtue together in perfect unity. Living It Out When we love others, we are not adding a virtue to faith; we are revealing the faith we already possess. Faith places us in Christ; love displays Christ in us. |
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