EVENING SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 1/13/2025 8:36 PM
My Worship Time Focus:
PT-1 “Introduction to 1 John 3:11-18”
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference:
1 John 3:11-18
Message of the verses: “11 For this is the
message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one
another; 12 not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother.
And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his
brother’s were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates
you. 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the
brethren. He who does not love abides in death. 15 Everyone who hates his
brother is a murderer; and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding
in him. 16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we
ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has the world’s
goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does
the love of God abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love with word or with
tongue, but in deed and truth.”
I
begin the introduction to this section by quoting from the book The Mark of the Christian which was
written by apologist, evangelist and author Francis:
“Through the centuries men
have displayed many different symbols to show that they are Christians. They have worn marks in the lapels of their
coats, hung, chains around their necks, even has special haircuts.
“Of course, there is nothing wrong with any of this, if
one feels it is his calling. But there
is a much better sign—a mark that has not been thought up just as a matter of
expediency for use on some special occasion or in some specific era. It is the universal mark that is to last
through all the ages of the church till Jesus comes back.
“What is this mark?
“At the close of his ministry, Jesus looks forward to his
death on the cross, the open tomb and the ascension. Knowing that he is about to leave, Jesus
prepares his disciples for what is to come.
It is here that he makes clear what will be the distinguishing mark of
the Christian:
“33 “Little children, I am with you a little while
longer. You will seek Me; and as I said to the Jews, now I also say to you, ‘Where
I am going, you cannot come.’ 34 "A new commandment I give to you, that
you love one another, even as I have loved
you, that you also love one
another. 35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.’’
“This passage reveals the
mark that Jesus gives to label a Christian not just in one era or in one
locality but at all times and all places until Jesus returns. (Downers Grove,
Ill.: InterVarsity, 1970, 7-8; emphases added to Scripture quotation).
That
is how John MacArthur begins his introduction to these verses from 1 John
3:11-18. I suppose that John’s writings
are famous for the word love. Love,
then, in contrast to those in Satan’s realm, has always been an essential
characteristic of every true Christian.
In the next SD I will quote some New Testament verses that will
consistently bear out this truth about love.
1/13/2025 8:59 PM
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