Scripture: 1 John 3:19-24
Having grown up in the 90s, when I read the phrase "This is how we know what love is," I can't help but bob my head to the Night at the Roxbury tune, "What is love? Baby, don't hurt me, don't hurt me no more."
In our last post we looked at two of the foundational principles of love given in 1 John 3: that the most defining display of love ever shown was Jesus' sacrifice for us, and that the result of that love is that God has added us into His family.
Pretty amazing!
The next paragraph (today's Scripture passage) deals with one of the most important practical elements of love-- trust. Relationships of love that work are built on deep, abiding trust.
But how can we trust a God we can't see? What happens in our life as we do learn to trust Him? To answer this, I'll work through the ideas in John's paragraph in reverse order (because, well, they make more sense to me in reverse order):
- We have been given the Spirit. This is the starting point of trust. This is a reliable piece of evidence, God's very presence in our lives.
- Because we have the Spirit, we can trust that we are keeping God's commandments. This isn't a boastful thing on our part, as it's that very Spirit which enables us to obey. The commandments in question are to believe in Jesus and love one another.
- Because we keep His commands, we can trust that God is pleased with us and will give us what's ultimately best for us.
- Because God is pleased with us, we can be confident and trust Him with our hearts.
- Even if our hearts have trouble with this trust, He is greater than our hearts!
In what behaviors, emotions, or thoughts is it difficult for you to trust in God?
I hope that thinking through the above list (and the Scripture on which it's based) might help you better trust, and ultimately love, the God who has died for you and adopted you.
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