This post is Day 16 in a series of studies about “1 John”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

Feel free to comment below with your own thoughts about each verse and how you will be acting on each thought. Also, if you haven’t yet signed up to receive the notifications of new studies, you can do that today (the form is at the bottom of the page).

1 John – Day 16

The verses for today can be a challenge to many church members in the rich western world, but please note that John is not saying that we should be poor, but that we should be generous. We can give to others with the confidence that God will repay.

1 John 3:17-20

If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence when our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything.

The Thought

These verses can be a challenge to many church members in the rich western world, but please note that John is not saying that we should be poor, but that we should be generous. We can give to others with the confidence that God will repay.

Luke 6:38 – Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured to you.

John’s lesson is about love in action. It is easy to say we love people, and that we will pray for them when they are in trouble, but doing something practical is often much more difficult. Sometimes it is not possible to do anything practical, but that’s when John assures us that God knows our hearts, and our good intentions. He hears and sees everything.

The church should be known as a caring body. Much of it is, but sadly much of it isn’t.

Action

Ask yourself (and the Lord) today if you have something to learn about loving others. Pray for Him to show you who needs help and what to do.

Thank Him for those who have helped you in any way in the past, whether spiritually or practically. Bless those people in your prayers today.