Lesson 612

(Lesson 612)(04-21-13) 1 John 3:13-24, "Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us."

Through today's lesson the greedy of the earth are exposed for what they truly are in the sight of God. John says, "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?"

We, as Christian people are to, first be devout believers in Jesus Christ, and secondly, to make a priority of caring for those in need, whoever they are. Sadly, in today's society, it is expected of us to live a lavish lifestyle (keeping up with the "Joneses"). Doing so demands that we amass great wealth to insure the continuance of that lifestyle. It also demands that we separate ourselves from those who can't live up to that societal standard.

Shamefully, right here in our back yards today, there are people living with hunger and unattended health problems while the majority of "christianity" wastes enough food and medicine to sufficiently care for them.

In this lesson John defines the difference between those who are Christian in name only and those who are indeed the compassionate children of God.~