Learning to Understand God

 
E-mail: devotionals@anewmeinchristcom

Learning to Understand God

 

1st John 3: 10-12

10) In this the children of God are manifest and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
11) For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
12) Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil and his brother’s righteous.

When something is manifested, it is clearly identified or understood as to what it really is.  In our context, a person is seen for who he or she really is.

People say that they are Christians or children of God. They go to church and do all of the right things but they do not do what is righteous. Unfortunately, there is a great difference between right and righteous. Right is what is considered right in the eyes of man and righteous is what is considered right in the eyes of God, as outlined by Him in His word.

 

Who is not of God?

According to vs. 10, whoever does not do what is right, as outlined by God in His word, is not of God, neither is the person who does not love his brother. This love is not a love of words but a love of expression, as in the example of the love God displayed for us when He sent His son to die for our sins. (See John 3: 16) 

Jesus also displayed His love for us by laying down or giving up His life for us. God sent Him, but He chose to come.  These are His words in
John 15: 13 - Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends.

 

Who does Jesus consider to be his friends?

Those who do whatsoever He commands, as outlined in the word of God. (John 13: 14)   

God expressed His love for us by sending His Son to die for our sins. Jesus Christ expressed His love for us by being obedient to His Father and dying for our sins. We should express our love for God by being obedient to His word. This obedience to His word should be manifested in our actions and attitude toward each other.

How is your expression of love?

 

A Prayer to Receive Salvation

Dear God, I confess that I am a sinner. I believe that Your Son Jesus Christ died for my sins. I ask Your forgiveness of my sins and accept Your Son into my life as my personal Lord and Saviour. I believe that You raised Him from the dead and because of this, I know that I can live a victorious new life in Christ. Thank You for my salvation.

Now complete the process of salvation by being baptized.

Acts 2: 38
...
Repent and be baptized … in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins….

….

Steps of Salvation Explained


Writer: Velyn Cooper

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