Wednesday February 25, 2015

Read 1 John 3:7-12

Context is a great help in reading the Bible. We use it when reading all other forms of literature but sometimes put our brains on hold when reading the Bible.  We rarely read a news paper article out of context or a part of a novel out of context, but we often take bits of the Bible out of context and some people build their entire theology on a verse or two taken out of context. In fact, its been stated many times that a text without a context is a pretext to say whatever you want.

Think for a moment about the context of today’s passage. 1 John 3:1 is about the corporate reality of the believer. We together are called children of God. God has lavished His love on us corporately. In 3:11 we again see the corporate nature of our identity – we are called to love one another. It’s a togetherness thing not a “sit by myself” thing.

This corporateness means that the verses in the middle of the chapter about sin rightly apply to our corporate identity as well. Vv 4-10 are not just talking about sin in general (to which they apply, of course) but sin against the Christian family. It's talking about sins against each other. In fact, verse 10 picks up on this corporate nature, clearly telling us that anyone who does not love his brother is not of God. Such a person is called a child of the devil. OUCH!!!

Our corporateness or our togetherness is summed in the command to love one another. This command to love is seen from the very beginning as seen in the Cain example. It’s been there throughout the history of Israel (seen in many parts of the law), in Jesus’ ministry (John 13:34-35) and in the church because God is love.

Love. It’s a many faceted thing. Let me encourage you to take time to define love. If you are in a corporate setting, cell group or family, take time to define love together, pooling your knowledge and wisdom.

Love is _________________________________________________________________________

In verse 12 we are commanded not to be like Cain who was unrighteous and did not know the love of God. In fact, we read in Genesis 4 that sin desired to have mastery over him but he didn’t master or control it. He gave in to his unrighteous desires and temptations and lived for self. He was an example of those who are children of the devil mentioned in verse 10.

Love is not just a commitment to the wellbeing of others. It includes that but it is also a commitment to the righteous requirements and standards of God’s law.

As we read in verse 10

1 John 3:10 (NIV84)

This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.

Love and righteousness go hand in hand. Let me share a simple illustration to highlight what I mean. Someone shares a cake with you and it’s disgustingly horrible to the taste. They ask you what you think. What does love involve? It’s a commitment to the other’s welfare. If that’s all love is, then lying and saying ‘Hmmm. It’s delicious’ is an ok strategy. It gets you out of a bind and doesn’t hurt the other person. But is that really love?

If however, you are committed to the righteousness of God then lying is not an option. When you think about it, lying to that person actually deflates and destroys that person’s welfare and unrealistically builds up that person and could lead to tragic results. He or she might enter a cooking competition with their delicious cupcakes. He or she might make a batch up for church and …. get the picture??

The love of God that dwells in the children of God upholds and betters the welfare and wellbeing of others but it also simultaneously seeks to bring glory and honour to God by being righteous as He himself is righteous. It adds a whole new dimension and perspective to love doesn’t it?

Prayer:

Use the day’s reading notes and Bible passage to pray meaningfully:

Adoration:

Confession:

Thanks:

Supplication:

· Pray that your congregation would be able to hold love and righteousness together as it ministers and serves.

 Discussion & Reflection

1. What does it mean to love in righteousness?

2. Why is it important that love and righteousness be joined together and not separated?

3. In what way is the cross the perfect example of love and righteousness sitting together?