1 John 3

1 John 3


"For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." 1 John 3: 11

This has been a theme in my life for several years. I use to think that there were just some people in this world that I didn't have to like, or for that matter didn't have to even care about. I have in the past just really found individuals who I just couldn't stand to be in the same room with. I didn't hate them and I have to say that I can honestly say, I can't think of anyone I know that I have felt I truly hate as a person. I can say that I have hated the way I have been treated by people thorough out my life but I've never hated them as people.

anyway, In this journey of asking the Lord what it means to Abide in Him and to truly love with His love, I've found this to be a consistent thing that keeps coming up in my study and search for the answer.

1 John 3:11 says "For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." and later on in this chapter verses 13-24 John writes to clarify what it really mans to abide in Christ, Love your brother, and to fully understand how these two go hand in hand.

I still meet people who when I first meet them I think to myself, "wow, this person isn't very nice or I am not sure I can trust this person". When I think those things the first thing that comes to my mind is, " to love someone and care for them doesn't require them to be nice or kind or easy to get to know, on the contrary, love is unconditional and if I work at getting to know this person or persons I am sure to see the good". I try to remember this and it is very convicting to me.

Ladies, I pray that if there is someone in your life who is difficult, who you just don't like very much, or someone who is just not a natural friend; I pray that you will make it a point to pray for them and to encourage them. I pray that you will begin to truly practice loving your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Just some food for thought:

Have you ever wondered why we have black churches and white churches, why there are rich and poor congregations? Why in other countries, different people groups don't worship with one another? Why is it that we allow this ; " A new commandment I gove to yoiu, that you love one another even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. by this all men will know that you are MY disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35

We have worked overseas for 10 years now and we have even planted churches that at the very foundation did not practice this New Commandment. We some how missed this and have set churches up so that they do not allow other minorities, other languages to worship together. What is wrong with this? I still wonder, is that right? Based on the New commandment in John 13:34-35 and 1John1-3 ?

if you have any thoughts on this? I would love to hear from you. Please post and share how you process this? I'm still not sure what the answer is but I am searching!

Blessings to you all dear sisters!
Melissa