1 John 3:16-24 - Love In Action
16 Here is how we can know what genuine love really is: It was [demonstrated by] Jesus laying down His life [on the cross] for us. And [because of that] we [too] should [be willing to] lay down our lives for [the sake of helping] our brothers [and sisters]. 17 Now whoever has [a sufficient amount of] life's possessions and [then] observes one of his [Christian] brothers who does not have enough to get by on, but does not feel sorry for him [i.e., enough to help him out], surely a love for God does not continue to live in that person's heart.
18 Little children [i.e., dear ones], we should not [merely] claim to love [people], or [even just] talk about it, but [we should love] by what we do [for them] in a genuine way. 19 And this is how we will know that we are following [God's] truth, and will have assurance [of it] in our hearts and before God [as well]. 20 But, if our hearts condemn us [for not demonstrating God's love for others], surely God, who is greater than our hearts [will also condemn us], because He knows all things.
21 Loved ones, if our hearts do not condemn us [i.e., because we are showing love by helping the needy], we can have boldness before God [in prayer for our own needs]; 22 and we can be assured of receiving from God whatever we ask Him for, because we are obeying His commands [i.e., especially the one about loving others] and are practicing what is pleasing to Him. 23 And this is His commandment: We should believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ [i.e., the person of Christ], and love one another, just He has commanded us to do. 24 And God lives in the heart of the person who [continually] obeys His commands, and he lives in [fellowship with] God. And here is [another] way we know that God lives in our hearts: It is by [means of] the Holy Spirit, whom God gave to us. [See Rom. 8:9, 11; James 4:5; I Cor. 6:19].
Related Bible Readings
Related Topics
- Love
- Atonement
- Atonement, in NT
- Christlikeness
- ethics, incentives towards
- Giving, Of Oneself
- Grace, And Jesus Christ
- Love, For One Another
- Love, Nature Of
- Mortification
- Substitution
- Unselfishness
- Jesus Christ, Love Of
- Agape Love
- The Effect Of Christ's Death
- Christ's Love
- Death Of God's People
- Knowing God's Character
- Special Revelation
- Love to Christ
- Loving Yourself
- Siblings
- God's Love For Us
- True Love
- Loving Everyone
- Gods Love
- Being Loved
- Loving One Another
- Brothers Love
- Sibling Love
- risk
- Jesus Freely Giving His Life
- Christians Being Called Brothers