1 John 3 – 4

Verse 3:11 says it all:

The central truth—the one you have heard since the beginning of your faith—is that we must love one another. 

Please note they are not talking like the 60’s movement where “loving” meant sex. I think of the Youngblood’s song that said “everybody get together, try to love one another, right now.” The problem with English over the Greek is we can misconstrue the word into “love” into romantic love over compassionate caring for another person. Eros vs Agape is lost in English. But when you boil it down it’s true. If everyone loved each other the way Jesus loved the Church, we would not need to worry following the Ten Commandments.

Verse 4:1 is something we need to take to heart:

My loved ones, I warn you: do not trust every spirit. Instead, examine them carefully to determine if they come from God, because the corrupt world is filled with the voices of many false prophets. 

With the internet today we get overloaded with hoaxes, like the Derbyshire Fairy, that we need to be vigilant on what we believe. It’s not different with people professing Jesus, we need to examine their information. Some are right on while others miss the mark. Prosperity preaching takes advantage of people’s lives to exploit the troubles for profit. Honestly, God may or may not bless you in the way you expected. Either way it’s never going to be easy. Israel had to fight for the Promised Land or almost any story in the Bible. Difficult helps us lean into God so we learn to trust Him during the difficult times.

How did I drift away from using “discernment” in any message you hear to make sure it is not meant to “tickle your ears”.

Verse 4:20 gives us a real world example of love and God:

If someone claims, “I love God,” but hates his brother or sister, then he is a liar. Anyone who does not love a brother or sister, whom he has seen, cannot possibly love God, whom he has never seen.

This is one of the most difficult things new Christians have to deal with since loving something unseen is difficult. The great thing is as you grow and experience God this love grows and develops. You suddenly understand that although unseen, God is with you all the time. Once you learn this and understand loving God does not mean the “Easy Button” has been pushed, you see His glory. Now this example you see how difficult it is since often siblings are the most difficult to love. The key is to learn it’s not always a warm “lovey” feeling, but rather caring through it all.