Love is more than words, more than conscience, but is Jesus Christ in us through the Spirit.

1 John 3:16-24

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• Love is more than words and is seen in what we do and in truth.
• Love is more than our conscience and God requires belief in His Son Jesus Christ.
• Love is Jesus Christ who lives in us by the Spirit whom He gives to us.

Love is more than words and is seen in what we do and in truth. “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.” 1 John 3:16-19

Jesus Christ showed His love for humanity by sacrificing Himself for each of us; He willingly endured the horrible crucifixion on the Cross to atone for our sin, “Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” John 10:17-18

To be like Jesus is the hope that possesses every one of His followers, instilling in our minds, spirits, and souls the willingness to lay down our lives for each other. This does not mean a physical sacrifice that would make us a culture who seeks martyrdom and death. Jesus teaches us that such sacrifices are not His desire; in Matthew 9:13, He mentions the verse, “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings,” echoing Hosea 6:6.

Our Lord Jesus prayed for the cup of His crucifixion to pass, yet He desired for God’s will to prevail, not His own. “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:42-44

The Apostle John clarifies his statement about laying down our lives for one another by writing, “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” To lay down our life for one another is to open our heart to others flowing with the compassion, mercy, and love of God found in Jesus Christ. We are the light of Christ in this world, as His Spirit lives in us, which means we want to impart life and Salvation to one another. The Holy Spirit speaks these words to us, “For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality.” 2 Corinthians 8:13-14

Being the salt of the earth means contributing positively, spreading light, life, and Salvation, rather than hiding in darkness to foster turmoil, conflict, destruction, and death. Being the light of the world involves sharing God’s love through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16

In today’s culture, there is an enormous emphasis placed on flattering the esteem, dignity, and self-respect of others, but little emphasis given to the spirit and soul. Flattery and smooth words are far from Truth. They will also pour nice words on others then send them off with absolutely nothing substantial in meeting physical needs. “‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” Matthew 15:8

Today’s culture lives by the principles of humanism, which is the fig leaf worn by the atheistic entity that gives people what to say, feel, do, and think. Humanism severs belief in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit from the treatment given to human beings. Humanism is “…an outlook or system of thought attaching prime importance to human rather than divine or supernatural matters. Humanist beliefs stress the potential value and goodness of human beings, emphasize common human needs, and seek solely rational ways of solving human problems…” “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” Matthew 15:9

“How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?” John 5:44 “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.”

Love is more than our conscience and God requires belief in His Son Jesus Christ. “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.” 1 John 3:20-23

When our heart condemns us, it is our conscience making us feel guilty for something that God might not have condemned. If our conscience condemns us, we must remember that God is greater than our conscience. This emphasizes the importance of abiding in Jesus Christ, embracing the presence of the Holy Spirit, and keeping the word of God alive within our hearts.

An illustration of God being greater than the conscience is seen in the experience of Jewish individuals who embraced new life in the Spirit through Jesus Christ. They were moving away from the animal sacrifices that were mandated for thousands of years, to atone for sin. They were also moving away from the multitude of ordinances detailed in the book of Leviticus, and the numerous festivals and special days they were mandated to observe. Their consciences would condemn them for neglecting animal sacrifices, they experienced guilt for not attending the special days and feasts, and they felt regret for not adhering to ordinances, such as what foods could be eaten or not eaten. However, the Holy Spirit, speaking through Paul and Timothy, affirmed, “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.” (Colossians 2:16)

Jesus Christ came to cleanse the conscience, being the final sacrifice for the atonement of sin as the Lamb of God. “…how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant…” Hebrews 9:14-15

Our Lord Jesus gives us life through the Spirit of God, fulfilling all the laws and prophecies of the Old Testament. Our hearts are no longer to condemn us for not keeping the letter of the law. In fact, it is the letter of the law that brings death, whereas the Spirit imparts life. “…for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” 2 Corinthians 3:16

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son…” Hebrews 1:1-2 “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.” Luke 16:16

As followers of Jesus Christ, we live in the presence of the Holy Spirit, who purifies our conscience to free us from being condemned by the laws, ordinances, standards, and customs of this world. Should our earthly hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. This underscores the importance of abiding in Jesus Christ, loving one another, being cleansed from lawlessness, and being the light that offers life and Salvation.

As followers of Jesus Christ, it is not about adhering to the customs of attending man-made churches, paying tithes, knowing the right scripture verses, participating in holiday services, reciting the right prayers, or knowing the right people, or wearing certain clothing, etc. Rather, it is all about living by the Spirit. We are the Church of God, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16

We receive whatever we ask from God through Jesus Christ, as we hold His word in our spirit, mind, and soul, and do what pleases Him. “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” John 15:7-8 What God gives we receive through our spirit from His Spirit. Our service to God is not based on the tangible things of this world, but rather, we serve Him in spirit, because He is Spirit. “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4

“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy…” Colossians 1:9-11

This is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us.

Love is Jesus Christ who lives in us by the Spirit whom He gives to us. “Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.” 1 John 3:24

The commandment of God is for us to believe in His Son Jesus Christ and to abide in Him. “Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” John 6:29 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Jesus Christ abides in us by the Holy Spirit whom He has given, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” Acts 19:2-3 If you know how to give good gifts, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” Luke 11:9-13

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit… every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” John 15:5, Matthew 7:17-20

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:1