His license plate proudly proclaimed “SAY NO.” But when the “outspoken” advocate for living a drug-free life was stopped for speeding, the police officers discovered that he was transporting drugs in his automobile.
While we may shake our heads in disbelief at that man’s hypocrisy, he is not that different from many Christians. The Apostle John wrote, “Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Christ did.” We might say that this is an “If/Then” statement. John wants us to have no doubt about one important fact: “If we say that we live in God, then others will be able to see Christ living in us, in what we do to and for others and hear the way we speak His love in what we say.” A rather troubling statement, isn’t it?
In only a few words John states two ways that will assure us that we belong to Christ: If we do what Christ says and live as Christ wants us to live. A few verses later in his little letter John clearly describes what he means: “Believe in the name of His Son and love one another.”
True “lived-out” Christian faith results in “loving behavior.” For this reason, John reminds us that what we say and the way we act is proof that we are living in God and belong to Christ. If we are obedient to the teachings of Scripture and show God’s love as Jesus did, then we know without a doubt that we “live in God.”
Prayer: Father, we truly love You and want to “live in You” as You would have us to live. Make our faith strong, our love deep, and our lives worthy of Your grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture For Today: Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6
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