“Believe In The Son Of God And Love One Another In Action And In Truth!”

“Believe In The Son Of God And Love One Another In Action And In Truth!”(I Jn.3:19-24).
There is a sense in which it is true that we can live in paradise on earth. Some of the early missionaries thought that the possibility of having such an earthly paradise was to form a Christian village. They often acquired land where all new converts were settled. Over time they realised that such efforts were futile.
In the Christian villages locks were still put on doors. People still locked their houses before sleeping. Why?
The garden of Eden was such a Christian village before Mama Eve opened Pandora’s box and trouble flew out.
Adam’s family was such a Christian family before Cain killed Abel. Why?
Because every inclination of ‘man’s’ heart is evil from childhood”(Gen.8:21). Yes, “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure”(Jer.17:9a).
The reason for the incarnation was to show through concrete action that, that inclination of man’s evil heart from childhood can be reversed. Only love can overcome evil. Somebody has suggested that the acronym for love is,
L- leave. O-off. V-various. E- evils.
John says the command to love is “a new command but an old one”(I Jn.2:7). So therefore, “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the dark”(I Jn.2:9). “Anyone who does not love remains in death. Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him”(I Jn.3:14b-15).
But like we have stated time and again, “I love you” is not enough. John cautions us: “…let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” The inclusion of truth is to clarify that sometimes actions that may be interpreted as love in action is a deception. If daily you feed the homeless hungry person who sleeps under a bridge you have showed love. But if you have the means to provide him shelter and you do not do so, perhaps there’s no truth in your love action.
Love in action and truth keeps our hearts at rest in God’s presence “whenever our hearts condemn us.”
There are two commands for us to obey: “To believe in the name of the Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.”
When we obey his commands we live in him and he lives in us. And we know that he lives in us “by the Spirit he gave us.” But even so “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God”(I Jn.4:1).
Lord Jesus Christ I believe in your name. Holy Spirit help me to love others in action and in truth. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.