1 John 3:18–24 The Living Lord Produces Active Faith

Generally, our actions are shaped by our beliefs. People who eat low-carb diets do so, probably not because they hate pasta but because they believe it is the healthiest. If a man buys stock in a company, it probably is because he believes in its business plan. Our beliefs shape our behavior. This is true of Christians’ belief in the resurrection. We believe Christ’s resurrection guarantees our resurrection to a glorious eternal life. That inevitably shapes how we will act now. However, not simply the facts of the resurrection shape our behavior. It is the person of the resurrection. Jesus is not some wise, dead sage whose advice is in dusty books. Jesus lives! Therefore, he can work on our minds and hearts through His Word, molding them to his perfect will. Here is a resurrection reality. Jesus fills us with his Spirit, not only so that we have faith but also so that we produce the fruits of faith he seeks.