Application Thoughts

Read the prescribed Bible passage.

Whoever claims to be a believer in Jesus must live as Jesus did - John presented this as a scale against which we should measure ourselves. We must be careful to note that this is not given as a scale to judge others by, but it is the way by which "we know that we are in Him."

Can we take time today to introspect - truly ask ourselves if we have loved others the way that Christ loved those around Him?

He was keenly aware of their flaws but He still loved a betraying Peter, a doubting Thomas and a cunning Judas.

Do we love our brothers and sisters in Christ with that kind of love, despite their flaws? To our advantage (in this matter alone), we are just as flawed as them, unlike Jesus.

If you find that you don't, will you pray and ask that God will help you love those around you? Will you let go of your reservations and reasons for not loving them and ask for His help?

If you did make that prayer, you can be relieved that your claim that you are in Christ is not just a claim.

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