“The one who keeps God’s commands lives in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us.” 1 John 3:24 NIV
John is saying that the Spirit’s presence in our lives is manifested objectively in our life and our conduct. The first anchor for assurance is always faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. If our trust is in Christ, God has promised us eternal life, which we have now. He has promised never to allow us to be snatched out of His hand (John 3:16; 10:28-30). A man once told D.L. Moody that he was worried because he didn’t feel saved. Moody asked, “Was Noah safe in the ark?” “Certainly, he was”, the man replied. “Well, what made him safe, his feeling or the ark?” The point is, if we are in Christ, it is not our feelings that save us from God’s judgment; it is Christ who saves! Faith puts us in the ark! Make sure you are on board! The problem was that the false teachers claimed to believe in Jesus, but their claim was mere empty words. By their deeds, they denied Christ. Throughout his first letter, John, the apostle gives these tests of authentic faith. Do you obey God’s commandments? Do you love the brothers and sisters? Do you believe in the name of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, including His sacrificial death for you? You may think, “Yes, but I don’t do those things perfectly. I often fall short.” It is to you that John writes these verses. Do you see evidence of God working in your life through your loving others? Do you see answers to your prayers? Do you enjoy fellowship with Christ as you live to please Him? If so, know that God is greater than your heart. He wants you to be confident in His love. He wants to assure you that you are His child.
PRAYER THOUGHT
Lord, thank You for the witness of Your Spirit that I am Your child.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Father, God, You are greater than our hearts. Thank You that You want us to be confident in Your love. Thank You for the witness of Your Holy Spirit, who gives us the assurance that we are Your children. AMEN
I.B.R.A. Readings
Psalm 150
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