What is the meaning of 1 John 3:18? Little children John addresses believers affectionately, underscoring both their family status in Christ and his pastoral heart. • He uses the same phrase in 1 John 2:1, 12 to remind us we belong to God’s household. • Jesus Himself employed child-language in John 13:33 when preparing His followers for a life of obedient love. The expression invites us to hear the rest of the verse as a fatherly, yet authoritative, command grounded in the certainty of God’s word. let us love Love is not merely an option; it is the normal lifestyle for those born of God (1 John 3:10). • Jesus gave the “new commandment” in John 13:34-35, tying our witness to our love. • Paul echoes this priority in 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, where loveless deeds amount to nothing. Because Scripture is trustworthy, we receive this call as a clear directive, not a suggestion. not in word and speech Words alone can be empty. • James 2:14-17 warns that blessing the needy without meeting their needs is dead faith. • Proverbs 27:6 reminds us that true love may wound with faithful words, yet mere talk without sacrifice deceives. John presses believers to move past lip-service to authentic care. but in action and truth Real love shows. • John points to the ultimate example two verses earlier: “By this we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us” (1 John 3:16). • Galatians 6:10 commands us, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, especially to the family of faith”. • “Truth” guards our actions from sentimentality; they must align with the gospel (Ephesians 4:15). Genuine deeds plus doctrinal fidelity equal biblical love. summary 1 John 3:18 calls every believer, as cherished children of God, to reflect their Father’s heart. Talk is cheap, but Christ-like love costs something—time, resources, even life itself. Because Scripture speaks without error, we take the mandate literally: love must move from our lips to our hands, guided always by the unchanging truth of God’s Word. |
    |