We know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and he who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him. 1 John 4:16 WEB
The early church suffered losses of membership due to false doctrine. False teachers led many away from the faith leaving a remnant of orthodox believers who were strong in the faith. John’s letter is addressed to these groups who hold fast to the promises of the gospel message and live lives of love and service to their fellow believers and god.
Giving up our sinful lives, we have no hope of conforming to the will of God without remaining in his love. Christ describes what happens when an unclean spirit leaves a man who is not filled with the Holy Spirit of God. It returns to the man from whom it left, finding its former home empty, swept clean, and put in order.
But the order doesn’t last long. Christ describes what happens next in Matthew 12:45, “Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be also to this evil generation. WEB”
Trust in the Lord
Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches us to, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. KJV” When we give up our sinful lives and try to go it on our own, we are destined to failure. It takes the love of God to transform a man.
But the good news is, as John wrote to the early church, when we begin our journey in the Lord, we have the love of God to help us along the way. As we read in Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. WEB”
John teaches us that God is love. Jesus commands us to love one another saying 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” Though false teachers try to lead the faithful astray, when we stay in love, God remains in us, and we remain in him.
Prayer: “Heavenly Father, thank you for the truth and wisdom in your holy word. Increase my capacity to love. Help me to love like you. Give me strength to overcome all adversity and to remain in your love. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Many Good Works
