The One Jesus Loved, Day 13 Why do we love? John discusses this in 1 John 4:13-21. The only way in which we know how to love is because we have experienced the love that Jesus has for us. However, John goes even further in these verses to explain that the only reason that we understand why to love is because Jesus loved us. If we had not first experienced the love of Jesus, then we would not know why we should demonstrate love to others. We love because God first loved us. He loved us so much that he died for us. So, when we think about how we…

The One Jesus Loved, Day 12 God loved us with a purpose. Read 1 John 4:7-12. In today’s culture and society we talk a lot about love. We explain what love is and we define how we think love should look. Sometimes that includes trying to define what God’s love looks like. However, John clearly spells out God’s love for us. John knows how God loves because he has seen it first hand and experienced it himself. God loves in such a way to bring change and redemption. God loves people so much that he doesn’t allow them to stay the same and continue in sin. God loves people so…

The One Jesus Loved, Day 11 We are not of the world. Looking around me at everything the world has become, it’s so easy to become frustrated. But, I am not of the world. Read 1 John 4:1-6. I am not of the world. John makes it very clear that because we believe in Jesus Christ, we have nothing in common with the world anymore. Whether the world is on fire and things are going terribly or whether the world is seemingly not so bad right, either way we are not of the world. We are never gonna find our fulfillment or our satisfaction in what the world brings. But…

The One Jesus Loved, Day 10 We are to love in actions and in truth. As we read our verses today, 1 John 3:16-24, we learn some interesting truths about love. John commands us to love others in action and in truth, which means that it is possible to love people with just words and to love people in falsehood. We can love falsely. Love must be shown in the truth of who Jesus Christ is. If our love does not fall under his definition of truth and love, then it’s not really love. When we look around the world today, we see such an emphasis on loving one another…

The One Jesus Loved, Day 9 People may not like you. This may come as a surprise, but following Christ doesn’t mean that people will like you. In fact, some people may actually hate you. Read 1 John 3:11-14 John is discussing the importance of loving people in these verses, because loving others is what sets Christians apart from those who do not know Christ. The world is full of hate. We see that prevalent throughout our society these days as hate is rampant, especially across social media platforms. John is reminding the disciples that the quality that sticks out and makes other people realize that we are Christ followers…

The One Jesus Loved, Day 8 Jesus came to take away our sin. We are not condemned to remain in sin. Read 1 John 3:4-10. As we read through these verses, it can be really difficult to think about the fact that sinning means that we are from the devil. Sinning is completely opposite of who God is and what God does. But, the important truth is what we find right here in this verse. Jesus came to take away our sins. Because of Jesus, we can experience the true life that is found in him. We are not condemned to remain in our sin. We can be delivered and…

The One Jesus Loved, Day 7 Lavish. That is such an incredibly descriptive word. The father lavishes his love upon his children. Read 1 John 3:1-3. Regardless of what else happens in our lives, the fact that Jesus Christ and God the Father, the Creator of the universe, has allowed us to be called children is love that cannot be measured. This is how God lavishes his love upon us, by adopting us into his family through the blood of Jesus Christ. When we accept Jesus Christ and his sacrifice on the cross for us, we become part of his family. Our life does not become easy and it does…

The One Jesus Loved, Day 6 Eternal Life. As we read through 1 John 2:18-29, we see many references to the truth and ensuring that people understand the truth. Then we have this verse about God’s promise, eternal life. John has had a lot to say about truth and eternal life. When we look at his gospel we see that Jesus Christ is the truth. John 14:6 explains that very clearly. We cannot have truth apart from Jesus Christ. So then, what is the eternal life that God has promised us? We see the answer in John 17:3. Eternal life is knowing Jesus Christ. As we are living in the…

The One Jesus Loved, Day 5 God’s will. Are we focusing on God’s will? Read 1 John 2:12-17. Throughout these verses we see a number of reasons why John is writing all the words that he’s writing. He wants us to be able to understand Christ better and to be able to follow him more closely. John doesn’t want us to be enticed and fall away because of the lusts of the world. John knows that God’s will is the only thing that matters and the only thing that brings joy in this life. Are we seeking God’s will and are we following it? How can we follow after God…

The One Jesus Loved, Day 4 How we live should match what we say. As we read 1 John 2:3-11, we read about the love for others that we are to have. Why? We live because Christ loved us. Does the love for others that we display look like the love that Christ has for them as well? Do we see and treat others the way Christ sees them and would treat them? As we think about our relationship with other people, we must recognize that we are to demonstrate Christ to everyone we are around. We are to treat people the way Christ treats them. We are to see…