But whoever has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, then closes his heart of compassion against him, how does God’s love remain in him? 1 John 3:17 WEB
The third chapter of First John begins by announcing the great love of God for his children. Further, he teaches that believers live righteous lives free of sin. He writes that if a man continues to sin, he does not know God. In addition, John says that those who do not love do not know the Father.
Also, John tells the faithful not to be surprised if the world hates them. As Jesus explains in John 15:18-19, “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. WEB”
Love Is an Action
Reminding the reader that Jesus laid his life down for us, John asserts that we should be willing to do the same. John promotes love as an action not merely feelings or words. Like Jesus, he teaches that true love is demonstrated by a willingness to sacrifice for one another. He writes in 1 John 14, “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. He who doesn’t love his brother remains in death. WEB”
John’s words about a brother in need relate to this active form of love. It isn’t enough to feel compassion though compassion sometimes compels us to action. When we close our hearts to a fellow believer and refuse to attend to their needs, it is a spiritual failure that proves a lack of the love of God. True love means that we give from the abundance of what we receive from God to those in need.
A New Commandment
Jesus commanded his followers in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another. WEB” He also says in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep my commandments. WEB” Loving our brothers and sisters of faith by sacrificing for their needs demonstrates our love of God and Christ.
As Christians, if we have the means to provide for a brother in need, obedience to God requires that we do just that. As it says in 1 John 3:18, “My little children, let’s not love in word only, or with the tongue only, but in deed and truth. WEB” We prove we love through our actions.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Fill me with your love. Give me wisdom to care for any brother in need and to love others as you love. Help me to be more like you and your Son. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Assembling Together
