1 John 5:1-12

The one who loves God loves the children of God. And the one who loves the child of God demonstrates his or her love by keeping God’s commandments, which is only possible for a child of God.

But how do we keep the Father’s commandments? And how can John say that they are not burdensome? Only through Jesus. Because He has already kept them. So when we live through Him, when we live out our new identity as children of God, we walk in the light and have fellowship with Him. We purify ourselves just as He is pure. Will we do it perfectly? No. But we should do it faithfully. And when we fail…and we will fail…we confess it and He cleanses us. He washes our feet.

We are known by our love or lack thereof. Love is an identifying characteristic of the child of God. Like Father, like son/daughter. Love doesn’t make us a child of God. Only faith can do that. But love distinguishes us as children of God.

If you haven’t trusted in Jesus yet, you can do that today. You, too, can become a child of God. It’s as simple as recognizing that you are a sinner in need of a Savior. Believing that Jesus is the Savior that God promised. He lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death, was raised to life on the third day, conquering death so that your sins can be forgiven, that you can have eternal life, and that you can become a child of God. Then you, too, can walk in the light and have fellowship with the Father and the Son.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our 1 John series, “Unshakeable.” Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X or Threads: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.