And We'll know we are Christians by our love

1 John 4:7-21- 


Jesus said in John's gospel that "the world will you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35).  In other words, people will know we are Christians by our love. There was even a great song written about this. That's great. That's that's how the world knows we're Christians, but how do we know we're Christians?


Don't we all struggle with doubt? "Am I really saved?" "Does Jesus really love?" "Am I a true Christian?" "Am I one of the chosen elect?" 


We all struggle with doubt and unbelief. Abraham did, and he's known as the great father of faith.  The Galilean man with the demon-possessed son had faith, but also had some unbelief. Every one from time to time has doubts about their standing with God.  It is one of the devil's lies to tell us God doesn't love us. He wants us to think that God hasn't pardoned us, or that we don't have faith because we doubt.  If God expected everyone to have perfect faith and never doubt, why would he write so much about assurance of faith?  That's what John says his letter is intended for, so that for those of us who trust Jesus, we will know that we have eternal life. 


So if others will know we are Christians by our love, how will WE know we're Christians? 
BY OUR LOVE!! 


Check it Out! Here's the breakdown. (1 John 4:7-21)
-"Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God." (4:7)
-"Whoever does not love, does not know God." (4:8)
-"God showed His love to us by sending His Son" (4:9)
-"Not that we loved God, but He loved us, and sent His Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins" THAT'S WHAT I CALL LOVE! (4:10)
-"Since God loved us, we ought to love one another." (4:11)
-"If we love one another, God lives in us" (4:12)
-We rely on the love God has for us" (4:16a), to testify to others about Him (4:14), and we know we live in Him, by the Spirit He has given us (4:13), which lives in us (4:15).
-"God is love, whoever loves, lives in God." (4:16b)
-"In this way....we will have confidence on the day of judgement." (4:17)
-"Love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment." (4:18)
-"We love because He first loved us." (4:19)
-"You can't love God and hate your brother, if you love God (and have been loved by Him), you will love your brother." (4:20)
-"He has told us, whoever loves God must also love His brother." (4:21)


So, again, as I said a couple of weeks ago, there are practical ways to love one another...
-TALKING TO PEOPLE you don't get along with, you disagree with, that annoy you, etc.
- SERVING PEOPLE  by offering to help with Making meals, projects, yard work, nursery, Sunday School, work projects, doing dishes, etc.
- GOING TO CHURCH, yes this is one of the ways you love the church, by actually going. Hmm, how 'bout that. You mean I have to actually go to church to love people there? YES! Remember, this is a command from Jesus. We need to be at church.
- HELPING study the Bible, encouraging in their walk, to use their gifts, uplifting, complimenting, etc.
- SMILING, giving HUGS, HAND SHAKES, ACKNOWLEDGE people, etc.
-AND MANY MORE!!!


I challenge you to ask yourself, especially if you struggle with your faith, if you're not sure if you're saved, ask yourself, "Do I love?"


Kent Suits,
Youth Director

Next Time: 1 John 5 "What's your point John?"