Ep 216 – 1 John 3:11-24 PT 6

This is episode six on 1 John, chapter three, verses 11-24. I've entitled it "God Knows, Don't Panic" because John is going to give us some much-needed words of encouragement regarding our love for one another. By this point, John's persistent call to love has probably left a few of us wondering whether we have it in us to love like he is describing. It seems impossible, especially if you take into account that our love is to be unconditional and impartial. But John seems to be sending us a message that any love we show for one another is of God. We didn't pull it off on our own. God is revealing His love in us and through us. And as a result, that should cause us to have confidence is our salvation, not to question it. There will be times when we feel unloving. We will experience those moments when it seems as if our love has fallen short of God's high standard. But John would have us remember that even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings. He knows everything. He knows our hearts. And He knows when we are loving, not in our own strength, but as a result of His Spirit's work within us.