By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
By this we shall know that we are of the truth and reassure our heart before him; for whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
Comment: When I am honest this is a very hard passage in what it says! Even as I read it now I have to question whether or not I purposefully slide past some of the things with which I am challenged. I’ll ask some of the questions which cross my mind as I read this short passage – but I won’t try to answer them! 1. When I see the amount which loving cost Jesus what is meant by ‘we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers?’ 2. How should I define ‘a brother’? I see plenty much worse off than me; do I, should I, give away until ‘costing hurts me’? 3. Do I substitute talk for action? 4. When sometimes my heart does condemn me about how little I ‘sacrifice’ or even ‘truly care’, can I write that off as false guilt or should I act differently? 5. Should I ask God if He considers that I really obey His commandments? 6. How do I find the perfect balance between resting in the Truth that I believe and that God has given His Spirit to indwell me, and knowing that, when I’m honest, my heart tells me that I could, even without sacrificing, share more freely with my brother/sister? Truthfully I found asking the questions a little exhausting, and I still have to try and answer them!
2 Sam 24: 24 – “I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing.”
Prayer: There are so many things I need to learn, Lord! Help me to be open, truthful and honest with You.
As I read it! 