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 1 John 3:18 - Show the Truth By Action

We are so scared not to create a theology of works that we fail to preach and do the Word of God.  Yes, salvation is only a work of God.  Yes, we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ - trusting in His grace and sacrifice on the Cross for our sin penalty.  But what does this chapter clearly say?

        God says that He expects such belief in our hearts and the confession of our lips to produce Holy Spirit-led living.  God does not mince words.  That’s good and we need to hear it and agree with God’s Word and let it transform and renew how we think and act.

Chapter three says sin no more.  We are to stop sinning.  Yes, I know, a tall order.  With God, we aim for perfection.  We press on.  It’s a new day and we do not let the devil prevail.  We trust that God commands us to obey Him and that He indeed enables us and gives us the freedom to sin no more and to please Him by what we do.  The Old Testament here is completely aligned with the New.  The OT says God rewards each person according to what that person has done (Psalm 62:12).

Let’s confess our sins to God today, ask Him to forgive us, and renew us to live this week for Him alone.  Remember the stakes.  They are high.  The devil we are told has been sinning since the beginning.  We have little doubt about that.  And when people keep on sinning it shows that they belong to the devil (3:8).  Wow.  That ought to stop us in our tracks.  Do we make a practice of sinning, or not?  Do our organizations care more to retaliate against those who point out sin than those who do the bad acts?  Who do we really belong to, God or the devil?

Dear Jesus, please forgive us our sins.  May we have your life in us abundantly and overflowing.  We believe in your way and the only Truth.  We believe your Kingdom will come and that you reign today.  We believe You never change and have just as much power and capability today as You ever did.  So much so that we believe you have a home for us in your Church family.  We yearn to know more about what it means to be part of God’s family.  We believe Lord Jesus that you love us that you will protect us and that we are your beloved children.

Help us to glorify you today.  And to grow in understanding and righteous living.  Help us to overcome evil by doing good.

Help us to love one another and to be known by the love of Jesus Christ livin' through us.

Help us to yield to others and to sacrifice for others. Help us to be generous with everything we have and to show active, genuine compassion for all people we encounter.  Inside our families, our church, and our community.

Let us not only say we love each other.  Let us show it by our actions (3:18).

Lord Jesus, we want to please you.  May your children all around the world please you today by what your children do.  May we believe in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another.  May we “show the truth by our actions” (3:18).  Amen.


Arch and Colt.  They are all about action!

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