DO I LOVE - 1 John 3:11-24

I continue my study through 1 John this week. As I read in one commentary, I was caught by this statement: "Loving everyone in general may be an excuse for loving nobody in particular."

Is this what the Holy Spirit is saying through John in verse 17, if anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?" The one who has, must take note of the one who has not. The blessings from God in our lives must flow to those in need around us. I remember reading a great book entitled Mountains beyond Mountains, in which the author said, "God gives but he does not share, that burden he places on humanity."

So John declares, "love with more than words, but in action and truth."

We are seeing lots of abuse of these principles in our country with the economic hardship hitting everyone. The greed and mismanagement of the financial sections of business are amazing. To many of us, these problems seem huge and overwhelming. Yet, this morning I read in the Napa Register about discussions among our City Council to cut spending on some important non-profits in the City - example: Women's Abuse Shelter. So there are many local ways we can show our love and lack of greed.

Think about this comparison from 1 John: Life doesn't exist where murder is present; neither does love exist where greed is found.

Love has a major emphasis in 1 John three times. Each time the emphasis builds, creating a peak of Love as the ultimate goal for believers. In chapter two, we are to love because Jesus loved and we are to follow the ways of Jesus. In chapter three, love is our way of life because we are God's children and love has been the sustaining force of life since the beginning of human history. Finally, in the third chapter, we are challenged to love because, simply, God is Love. It is the ultimate comparison. Three times in Scripture is God compared so closely to earthy things. God is Spirit, God is light, and God is love.

Our focus for this Sunday is the Primary nature of love (it is from the beginning). Here are some scriptures to illuminate this for you.
First of the Fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22
The Reality of Faith - Galatians 5:6
The Greatest of the Great - 1 Corinthians 13:2, 8, 13
The Keeper from Error - 1 John 2:10
Proof of the Supernatural - Luke 6:27-36

Review these scriptures and add to the list. Come prepared this Sunday to receive God's Spirit of love in your heart.