The testimony is clear. Jesus is the Son of God, and he has overcome the world. The Spirit also testifies about Jesus. That is what this entire letter has been all about: “So that you may know that you have eternal life” (5:13). We have the same desire as John. We want the world around us to know that they, too, have eternal life in God’s Son. What letter can we write with our words and actions so that others can have the same confidence? What can we do in our lives so that others will share in this confidence? In this way, like John, our joy will be complete.
Love with Skin On #3 - Weightloss for Christians
This call to love is a difficult and tricky thing, How to do it is difficult to figure out in each given situation with each dear soul we encounter. It is likewise difficult because of our sinful nature and the pressures of the world. Yet, John refuses to call this love a burden. But how do we lift the load? How does the weight of this command get lifted from our shoulders so that “his command is not burdensome.” Today, we consider 1 John 5:1-5.
Love with Skin On #2 - Fearless Love
This Sunday, John teaches us to live with fearless love. We are, after all, at times, afraid to love. There are many reasons for this. We may be afraid that someone will take advantage of our love. We are afraid that our love may make us vulnerable. We are afraid that selfless, sacrificial love will leave us without enough. There are many reasons that we are afraid to love. “What if...” seems to be a repeated theme. Yet, John makes it clear: “Perfect love drives out fear....” Christ’s perfect and all-sufficient love for us drives out fear of God’s judgment and gives us security from God so that we will love others. 1 John 4:7-21.
Love with Skin On #1 - Spirit Powered Security
“God is love” (1 John 4:10). Love is not just part of what God does. It is who God is at his very core. It is his essence. But how do we know? He showed his love among us by giving his Son (1 John 4:9)— Jesus, who is God in the flesh. We might say then that Jesus is “love with skin on.” He makes God known by putting on human flesh, wearing skin, and becoming fully human. The same might also be said about you and me. We are the body of Christ, the visible representation of Jesus in the world. Yes, just as much as Jesus is “love with skin on” so are we.
As we finish our look at John’s first letter, we want to shift our focus outward to those who do not yet know Jesus. What letter can we write with our words and actions so that others can have the same confidence in Christ that we have? Our welcome to those who are guests at Mount Lebanon is one way that we can be “love with skin on.” Our life in the world is another way. What does our letter say? What does our life show? God showed us his love by putting skin on it. May he help us do the same!