Each week throughout 2021, I will share a Bible study blog post taking us through the letter of 1 John. Only five chapters long, this brief book is worthy of our consideration. Whether you drop in for one post or many, I pray that you enjoy them. Access all posts here.

In our last few studies of 1 John 2:28-3:10, we celebrated the glorious truth that God loves us so much that He decided to call all believers His children. John wrote: "See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are." (1 John 3:1, ESV).

In this next passage, 1 John 3:11-18, we have a much more difficult truth to digest. It's this: If God has made us into His spiritual family, we must love our spiritual siblings. Last week, you may have celebrated God's love for you, but you must struggle to show your love for others. This passage gives us practical help on how to demonstrate Christian love.

Remember, though, John's three tests. He's introduced all of them already and will revisit them throughout the rest of his letter.

Do I believe in Jesus?
Do I obey God?
Do I love God's people?

And, today, John will address the third test. He will talk to us about love. From the passage, I am going to draw out seven lessons on how to love, especially how to love God's people. Today, we will look at the last two lessons, followed by some applications of the entire passage.

6. Keep your heart wide open (17).

17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?

The idea of little-by-little sacrifice, as opposed to one big moment of sacrificial death, is made evident by John's example describing how we should love. To see a brother in need, yet close our heart against him, is unloving (17). If God's love abides in us, we will help our brother (17).

Now, I want to give some needed parameters to the love John describes here. First, John seems to be thinking of the people we're in a relationship with within our local church setting. He had no way to imagine a Kickstarter campaign. Second, as anyone who's ever worked in a church office will tell you, verses like these are sometimes used by those who take advantage of others in the church, guilting them into financial support or aid.

How far should our help go? As far as love goes. There comes a point when it is no longer loving to provide support. Where love stops, so does the aid.

But John's concern here was that our hearts would remain open to our spiritual family. And this practical example of love helps us see the importance of having an open heart to others in the church. John sees the person who is unmoved by their brother's need as someone who has closed their heart against him (17).

We've all created defensive mechanisms that close our hearts to others. I watched this happen to a pastor friend of mine once. His story is not as typical as you might imagine; I have known many pastors who could have excused themselves for bitterness against the church but did not. But my friend gave in. Soon, everyone was the enemy. He had not kept his heart open and soft toward others.

But we must work hard to keep a soft and feeling heart toward others. Keep your heart wide open.

7. Let love be an action (18).

18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

I used to play a lot of basketball. On the court, there are usually four different types of players. You have the all-talk, no-game players. Then there are the players who back up their talk with their game. Then you have no-talk, no-game players. And, finally, the rarest of all, the no-talk, all-game player.

John invites us to be the latter kind when he says let us not love in word or talk but in deed and truth. Actions speak louder than words anyways, so let love be an action word. Talk is cheap, but love costs, so let's spend our lives for others.

Paul told Titus we are to be a people:

"...who are zealous for good works" (Titus 2:14).

Let love be an action word.

Applications

After thinking about this passage (1 John 3:11-18) on Christian love, what are some take-home applications? Here are a few:

1. Don't let your first question be, "How well am I being loved?"

Too many believers read passages like these, or attend church services and groups, and think a lot about how well they are being served. But the mature believer instead looks for opportunities to love.

It isn't real. The lives you see there are mere snapshots. It's what the poster wants you to see. Sometimes the poster is a poser. But, if our hearts are prone to jealousy, we should be cautious around these little envy-inducing apps and machines.

3. Avoid conversations where other Christians are ridiculed.

In environments like these, Christians of different stripes or convictions or maturity levels are negatively portrayed. Everyone laughs, but you've just invited cancer into your heart.

4. Find a church community to love and serve.

It should be obvious the kind of love John envisions requires a commitment to a group of believers. And I do hope you are committed here at Calvary. Still, I know many float into this church and other churches on the Peninsula -- vagabond believers. Stop! Find a church, even if it's not this one, and commit to it.

5. Ask for the Spirit's help.

The fruit of the Spirit is love (Galatians 5:22). This means we must walk in the Spirit, feed the Spirit, and lean on the strength of the Spirit if we're going to love others well.

6. If you are in the stage of life where you are considering a career path, consider the ministry.

"For the eyes of Yahweh roam throughout the earth to show Himself strong for those whose hearts are completely His." (2 Chronicles 16:9, HCSB). God is looking for faithful servants. Maybe He's looking at you.