Verse of the Day 11/30

1 John 3:23-24 Now this is His command: that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another as He commanded us. ²⁴ The one who keeps His commands remains in Him, and He in him. And the way we know that He remains in us is from the Spirit He has given us.   Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
 

Yesterday we considered some of what it means to remain in Him, to abide in Christ and have Him abiding in us.  Today's verse comes from the following chapter, 1 John 3 which continues the theme, the thought line.  Here we have three of the recurring features of this letter - believing, loving and obeying.

 

The person that remains or abides in Christ will give evidence, will testify of this in their words and actions in life.  What we truly believe will have an active role, no, should have a dominant role in our lives.  That believing is trusting, it involves some risk taking in loving others. This is one risk that will pay off with certain results.

 

John Piper writes, "A testimony is the presentation of evidence that should help a jury decide the truth of a claim.  A testimony is valuable to the degree that it can be counted as good evidence in deciding if a claim is true.  The evidence that the Holy Spirit presents to our own spirits and to the community is first of all the evidence of love.  The Spirit puts within us a humble heart of love and so gives evidence of his presence and power.  His testimony is the love he producess.  He bears witness to his presence by what he alone can produce - the overflow of joy in God that flows out to meet the needs of others."

 

May His presence produce this love for one another this day, this season, for His honor and glory.

 

Blessings,
Mike
Follow the verse of the day at www.mikesvotd.blogspot.com

 

1 John 3:21-24  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

²¹ Dear friends, if our conscience doesn't condemn us, we have confidence before God ²² and can receive whatever we ask from Him because we keep His commands and do what is pleasing in His sight. ²³ Now this is His command: that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another as He commanded us. ²⁴ The one who keeps His commands remains in Him, and He in him. And the way we know that He remains in us is from the Spirit He has given us.