We Know Life

1 John 3:13-14 Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15 Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.
 
THIS is the first of four lessons on “we know”, a phrase John writes 16 times in 1 John. Remember, “to know” is to determine the truth, especially through experiences. How, then,  do we know that we have passed from death to life? In other words, how do you determine through your experiences you are saved to life eternal?
    First, you must know that confessing Jesus in true faith will change you. Jesus’ love is not an emotion. A God-formed love in your heart is a foundation to your new life. To say, “I love my church.” because you feel good about the people there one day is not an indication you are saved.
    As John writes, we have passed from death to life, the word “passed” refers to a continual character of your heart. Alive in Jesus, saved in his love, you do not act in love one day and then in vengeance or unforgiveness the next. OurYour life is formed in God’s eternal love, strong against the world’s temporary opposition because weemotional claims to relationships.
    We also know God’s love brings us into life because the opposite is true. To live in our own emotions is to be a murderer. This is strong language. But consider: Your sin nature says, “Do not love others. Love yourself above all!” To act this way will turn you and others from Jesus.
    Death is defined as moving away from God’s life. Cain (see our last lesson) rejected God’s love. He loved himself. His self-absorbed life led others to death.
    Yes, saved to life, you will still act in an unloving manner – even when you try hard not to do so. But if you are attentive to love God and love others, you will repent of the broken moment. You will see God’s love as a life restoring agent, healing division and unforgiveness. You will purposefully seek to know the way of love, striving to be as Jesus. You will know life eternal.
 
Life Thought: Passing into life is a remarkable journey. Continue on to love others.  
 
Next email is January 27.