“The one who won’t practice righteous ways isn’t from God, nor is the one who won’t love brother or sister. A simple test.” ~Apostle John

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1 John 3, Devil, Jesus, Love, Messiah, Right Living, Test

Some tests are hard. Others are simple.

This one is VERY simple. Loving others deeply and the way Jesus the Messiah does is the test of right living.

Right living in God and right living with all who are a part of my life. It is all about the relationships. Acting right equals right-living with God.

If we are not God’s child then we are the Devil’s child. This is a start reality. There is a clear difference between the two. The test is quite simple. Which am I?

Loving God and loving my neighbor is the test.

So, my dear children, don’t let anyone divert you from the truth. It’s the person who acts right who is right, just as we see it lived out in our righteous Messiah. …. Here’s how you tell the difference between God’s children and the Devil’s children: The one who won’t practice righteous ways isn’t from God, nor is the one who won’t love brother or sister. A simple test.1 John 3:7-10

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“All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model for our own.” ~Apostle John

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1 John 3, Children of God, Hope, Jesus, Maturity, Purity

We are children of God but we are becoming like Jesus. Being children isn’t the end game. Sometimes I think it is. But the end game is not to be children but to become fully mature in God. Jesus challenges us to grow up and be mature.

Jesus life is my model. And my hope is that when I see Him, I will become like Him. And for that I have hope and look forward to His coming.

The focus now is staying ready. I should run the race knowing that I will gain the prize. The purity of His life becomes my standard.

Am I there yet? No.

Do I run to gain the prize? Yes!!!

But friends, that’s exactly who we are: children of God. And that’s only the beginning. Who knows how we’ll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we’ll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model for our own. 1 John 3:2-3

“My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love.” ~Apostle John

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1 John 3, Apostle John Sayings, Criticism, Jesus, Love, Reality

Self Criticism

Self criticism, even when it is deserved, leaves me crippled. I hobble around on crutches pretending no one sees.

They see I can’t get out of myself. They see my selfishness.

Practicing love, getting outside of myself, shuts self criticism right down. God knows me and He knows what I need.

Jesus knows me better than I know myself. He doesn’t condemn me but shows His steadfast love day after day. He puts it into practice.

Jesus challenges me to practice real love. That is God’s goal for me today. Loving others takes me out of my self and focuses on others.

My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves. 1 John 3:18-20

 

May we love like God loves. May we put it into practice.

“What marvelous love the Father has extended to us!” ~~Apostle John

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1 John 3, Apostle John Sayings, Children of God, Love

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us!

It is interesting how some people just don’t “get it”, i.e., understand what we are up to in God. We know we are His children. We know He loves us and how amazing that is. We know he is not angry or upset. We know He has our best interest at heart. We know He cares beyond anything we can imagine. We know He is in a good mood, all the time.

We really are the children of God. Really. No doubt about it.

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to. 1 John 3:1

May I know who I am in Him.