Abiding in Him: Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth: 1 John 3:18-24

1 John 3:18-24

18 Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

            We are called to love in deed and truth. The word “ deed " comes from the Greek word " ergon, “ which means work, duty, task, or workmanship. It refers to a task, or set of tasks, accomplished by someone.[1] The word “ truth " derives from the Greek word “ alētheia, “ meaning truth, sincerity, and integrity. It indicates the quality or state of being real or genuine—often in terms of a visible and verifiable reality demonstrated by facts, actual events, or proven character. Our love should be demonstrated through outward action, reflecting what is found in God’s word. God’s word is absolute truth. The life of a follower and believer in Christ is meant to be defined and guided by the word of God.

            Claiming to love without actions to support it is shallow and unbiblical. If we assert that we love our brothers and sisters in Christ and notice a need, we should be inspired and motivated to meet that need based on what God provides. Simply loving in words or speech, without actions to back it up, is empty and hollow.

 19 By this, we know that we are of the truth and will convince our heart before him, 20 that if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart and knows all things.

            There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. However, there are times when the enemy will lie to us and even convince us that we have sinned beyond God’s grace and redemption. Our salvation is not based on our efforts or performance. Our right standing with Christ does not depend on what we accomplish or achieve. Everything we have in Christ Jesus is a result of His finished work on the cross. He did all the work and offers us salvation as a gift.

            But by living our lives with Christ daily, we guard our hearts against condemnation. It is impossible to live for God and love as He commands without the work and presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The letter of 1 John is a call to live for Christ. We are not merely to claim that we believe in Jesus Christ and leave it at that. We are called daily to live for Christ, and His love should define our hearts and lives.

The word “ condemn " comes from the Greek word " kataginōskō, “ which means to condemn or convict.[2] Because the precious blood of Christ covers us and washes away our sins, there is no place for condemnation. However, there is a place for conviction, as when we stray or turn toward things contrary to God and His word, the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives will convict us. The purpose of conviction is not to beat us down but to draw us near to Christ and to rely fully on His grace and strength.

21 Dear friends, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God, 22 and whatever we ask, we receive from him because we keep his commandments and do what is pleasing ⌊in his sight⌋.

            How can we know if we are praying in accordance with the will of God? How can we be certain that our prayers will be answered? I believe John provides the answer to this. We are called to keep His commandments and do what pleases Him. We are called to live for Jesus Christ. By living for Him and abiding in Him, our hearts and minds become united with His. Our prayers align with His will and purpose. We don’t need to wonder what the will of God is, for the Holy Spirit will lead, guide, and direct us.

            Our confidence is found in God through Jesus Christ. There is no condemnation for the child of God. Even if we sin, we are able to confess our sins to the Lord. The devil loves to condemn and bring up our past. However, in Jesus Christ, our sins no longer linger. Our past is erased. The devil has nothing to use against us. When we walk closely with Jesus, spending time daily in the Word, the Lord will direct our steps and guide our hearts and minds. Our hearts and minds will align with His, and our desires will lead us to His will and purpose.

23 And this is his commandment: that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as ⌊he commanded us⌋.

            What is the commandment of God? Under the Old Covenant, there were 613 commands. Under the New Covenant, the Lord calls us to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another. When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment is, He responded to love God with all our heart and to love our neighbor as ourselves. Following Jesus is not complicated. Believing in Jesus as Lord and Savior opens our lives to the grace, mercy, salvation, and love of God. Before Christ, we are enemies of God because of our sin. However, in Jesus Christ, our sin has been washed away.

            Thankfully, our salvation and righteousness are not based on our performance or behavior. As human beings, we will fail and sin. However, when we come to know Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God begins to live within us. The more time we spend reading and meditating on God’s word, the more we are transformed and changed. We come to know Him intimately and understand His love for us more and more. Though we don’t deserve His love, He chooses to love us.

24 And the one who keeps his commandments resides in him, and he in him. And by this, we know that he resides in us: by the Spirit whom he has given to us. [3]  

            How do we abide in Christ? The word reside in the Greek is menō and it means remain, stay (i.e., lodge) with. Among its wide breadth of uses, menō can refer to dwelling, living, or lodging.[4] We have seen this word before and this is something Jesus spoke in length about before going to the cross with the disciples, the importance of abiding and remaining in Him. The way we abide and remain in the Lord is through faith in Christ and our love for one another. These are the commands that Jesus has asked us to follow.

            Everything we do for God will flow out of our love and relationship with Him. There is nothing God calls us to do in our own strength. But because of our intimate fellowship, everything He calls us to do will flow out of walking with Him. The way we know we are connected to Christ is because of the witness of The Holy Spirit within us. The Spirit of God will lead and guide us. He will speak to our hearts and minds. He will break the strongholds and lies of the devil that have existed in our minds and have held us hostage. In Christ as we remain in Him we are changed. It is by remaining in Him that we are able to truly love our brothers and sisters as Christ commands. Everything we do flows out of deep intimacy with Him.

Prayer

Father, thank you for your love. Thank you for your patience and compassion. Thank you for all that you do and for how much you love us. Continue to transform and change my heart from the inside out. Help me not only to love you as you command but also to love my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Father, remove from my life anything that would hinder your work and purpose. I thank you for your grace and compassion for me. Help me to love others as you love me. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!

[1] Ron Clark and Dougald McLaurin III, “Duty,” in Lexham Theological Wordbook, ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).

[2] Rick Brannan, ed., Lexham Research Lexicon of the Greek New Testament, Lexham Research Lexicons (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2020).

[3] W. Hall Harris III et al., eds., The Lexham English Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012), 1 Jn 3:18–24.

[4] Garwood P. Anderson, “Hospitality,” in Lexham Theological Wordbook, ed. Douglas Mangum et al., Lexham Bible Reference Series (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2014).