Ministry Anointing Isaiah 50:1-9, Isaiah 61:1-4, Jeremiah 1:4-12
Friday – November 29, 2024, Cheshvan 28, 5785
1 JOHN – 3:17
FAITH WITHOUT CORRESPONDING ACTION IS DEAD
Video link: https://youtu.be/_1-QVKpgBCo
Greetings precious saints of God and welcome back to this enlightening, empowering, and instructive study of 1st John. The Lord is so good to give us His thoughts, Words, and ways and the capacity to do as He does. Thanksgiving Day is behind us and I suspect many are knee deep in leftovers. Christmas and the New Year will be upon us all too soon. Now, let’s turn our attention to our primary Bible text continuing to read out loud.
1 John 3:17-21 (KJV)
17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
Perhaps you have noticed that verse seventeen is a question. Basically, the Apostle is saying, if you have the means to help a brother (or sister) in need and you don’t, the love of God is not in you. Please know that the use of the word “love” is not referring to worldly love, sensual love, but the love that only God and saved people can express. The love that we have for God and people is not based on emotion but is an act of our will based on our knowledge of the love of the Father and the Son. This love always obeys Scripture, is selfless, and walks in the Blood Covenant. Looking back at our text, I have heard it said that compassion is pity that takes action.
Verse eighteen sounds a lot like the Apostle James talking about faith.
James 2:17-20 (KJV)
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Just as Scripture says that faith without corresponding action is dead so is love without corresponding action dead. Faith and love are inexorably intertwined.
Galatians 5:6 (KJV)
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
Verse eighteen of our primary text ends telling us to love “in deed and in truth”. The Truth is the Word of God. So, we are to love (agapē/ agapaō) according to Scripture, with selfless motives, in line with the Blood Covenant.
Lord willing, I will pick up right here next Friday. Remember, we love you, the Lord loves you, and there is nothing you can do about either one.
By: Dr. David R. Wood, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
REMINDERS
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