1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.
There is just something about the writings of the Apostle John that speaks to me. I don’t know what it is about his writing style, but I absolutely love studying his writing. Today’s verse comes from a letter he wrote to believers to encourage them and remind them that their lives should reflect the inward transformation that has taken place by following Christ. He challenges readers with his words and it can be both enlightening and convicting.
In this verse he reminded readers that true believers have moved spiritually from a state of spiritual death (separation from God due to our sin) to one of divine life through Jesus Christ. We KNOW we have passed from death to life because we have faith that He has died for our sins and we are now forgiven. This is an absolute, a truth that we can fully believe. The Greek word he used is oida, which means to know – an absolute, intuitive, and settled mental conviction. There is no doubt, no arguing whether it is true or not, we absolutely, 100% believe and accept this.
He also used the Greek word metabaino (passed) – a permanent change, moving permanently from death to life. We may not see the physical transformation in our lives yet because we still have earthly bodies that are subject to the world, but spiritually we have been transformed, made new, reborn.
Why? Because we love each other. Love, as used here, is an evidence, not a requirement for salvation. We are not earning life through love, we are loving others showing evidence that we have been transformed. Think of our love response as a thermometer that measures the love of Christ within us that we are now pouring out on to others. The form of love John used in this passage is agapao – the active, selfless, self-sacrificing love that is modeled after Christ’s love for us.
He even goes on to say that anyone who does not show love to others remains in death. Yikes! That means if we are not loving others with the same love Christ has for us we are not truly believers. Without the evidence of transformation, our salvation is questionable.
I don’t know about you, but I love to help others. I love giving to others, caring for them, helping them with things they need help with. I love teaching and guiding. These all speak to my love language and my spiritual gifts. Because of the love of Christ inside me, I can’t help but pour it out on others and it brings me such JOY to do so! I can’t hide it. Even when I don’t want to step forward, when I want to purposely stay in the shadows, I feel the pull to move, to do something.
Today let’s look for the opportunity to love others. Let the love of Christ flow from within you to someone needing His touch today. Don’t hide it away, push it down, bury it beneath the busyness of life. Celebrate His love and praise Him for the transformation within you that has allowed you to love others so openly and completely.
Prayer: Lord, Guide me to someone who needs to feel Your love today. Let the love of Christ flow through me and touch their life. Amen
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