Dear Lord God, we come before You in worship and praise, for You are the orchestrator of Your creation. Be with us as we spend time with You, and guide us to what You want to show us.
John begins this third chapter with a lovely assurance of God’s lavish love for us. We aren’t just God’s servants. We’re not just His creations. We are His beloved children, and He loves to love us. Wow. What a beautiful message to hear and receive. John then helps us discern who is a true believer and who isn’t. This passage is one of the trickiest in the Bible and many commentators have given diverse thoughts as to what it means. I’m going to share mine but do your own research, too, if this passage confuses you. Ask your pastor. Read a trusted commentary. I’m just Sharon. Not even seminary trained. But I do believe God speaks even to you and me when we read His Word and ask Him to teach us. Here’s what I gained from this. If someone declares they are Christian but repeatedly and without remorse continues to break God’s good commandments, we are right to question their faith. If someone declares they are Christian but shows no love to fellow believers and consistently spews out hateful thoughts and desires to hurt them, we are right to question their faith. However, how do we treat those who don’t believe? We pray for them to receive Christ, of course. We still show them love. And how do we treat those who are saved but have hardened their hearts? I love Paul’s words in Galatians 6:1: “Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you also won’t be tempted.” – See? In either case, our hearts should break for the one who keeps on willfully sinning or hating a brother or sister in Christ. Those who genuinely have surrendered their lives still sin – but boy oh boy they don’t want to! They know all God has done for them, and their hearts break when they realize they’ve sinned. Again. I think John is pointing to those who have no remorse about sinning. I hope that helps, friend. Looking forward to reading your comments as you wrestle with this as well.
My verse: 1 John 2:9, “Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.”
My response: Father, I have confessed to giving way to anger hundreds of times in my life, and You have always forgiven me. Thank You. I’m so reassured by this verse because You know I don’t wake up in the morning hoping I can be good and angry all day long. You know my heart. I want to be kind and gentle like You. Thank You for helping me daily to conform to Your Son’s image. Thank You for Your patience in this slow process. In Jesus’ Name, Who died for me, Amen.
What’s next?
As the Spirit leads, share what He has laid on your heart in the comment section below. Then join us again tomorrow for the next commentary.
