Believing and Loving

“And this is his command:  to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us” 1 John 3:23.

At first glance, this seems like an easy checklist…believe in Christ, check…love people, check!  We must not skim over this verse with a pat on our back and a song in our heart.  What is this verse really saying that moved John to repeat the message in 3 separate letters circulated through churches?  It was a warning against people who claim to be believers but don’t live it out.  It was a ‘plumb line’ measurement on his part to have believers recognize their responsibilities in living in Christ.  These letters were not written to unbelievers, but to believing Christians who claimed to love God and His Son.  So why the reminder?

Kelly Minter, author of What Love Is states is best:  ‘To believe in Jesus’ name was to believe everything He claimed about Himself, His teachings, and to put one’s trust in His being…To believe in Jesus’ name is to submit ourselves to Him, to go where He goes, agree with His ways, and enjoy His fellowship” p. 102.  That is much different than just to claim that we believe He died on the cross.  To believe in Him means to die to our self and our agendas.  To believe in Him means to give up our time and resources so His work can be furthered.  To believe in Him means to live as a servant, not a master seeking entitlement and favor from the world.  To believe in Him is to carve out quality time to fellowship with Him.  The fruit of keeping the first command will be the second one… to love one another.  Without the love and indwelling of Christ in our hearts we will be unable to love others in the manner God desires. 

Once we are walking out our belief in Christ we have the ability to forgive those who have wounded us.  We will be able to grant grace based on our belief in Christ when someone has betrayed us.  We will be able to face any circumstance with trust instead of bitterness when we truly believe that God is working for our good in all circumstances.  We must never lose sight that believing in Christ is not a one-time event, but a daily commitment of surrender, sacrifice, fellowship and love.  Our love for others will be measured by our love for Christ – they are intertwined. 

‘We can’t separate loving others from our belief in Jesus.  Our confession of Him will lead to action, and true love in action will result from our knowing Him.  Belief without love can make you a Pharisee.  Love without belief can make you a humanitarian.  But if you have both, you’re a child of God.’ What Love Is, page 103.

“So then, you will know them by their fruits.   Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” Matthew 7:20-21.