Getting Along In The Family 1 John 3:13-24

Getting Along In The Famiy

(1Jn 3:13) Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.

(1Jn 3:14) We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.

(1Jn 3:15) Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

(1Jn 3:16) 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.

(1Jn 3:17) 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?

(1Jn 3:18) My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

(1Jn 3:19) And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

(1Jn 3:20) For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

(1Jn 3:21) Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

(1Jn 3:22) And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

(1Jn 3:23) 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.

(1Jn 3:24) 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.

The Apostle John emphasized two basic Christian fundamentals or truths of assureance here in Ch. in in3. The first is on our new birth in Christ and the second is for the love of the brethren including you ladies.

The ULTIMATE meaning of love is the willingness to lay down our lives for others. It also means serving. There's also reassurance for us. The Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, gives us strength and confidence. We can do what ever He commands us to do.

Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Php 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Most of the time when family members are separated for a length of time there is a great immeasurable joy when they come back together. That joy proves that family bonds are strong and family relatio fanships are invlauable. By John telling us how to get along in God's family, John reinforces our family spirit and their joy of belonging.

The Principles Of Getting Along

In our introduction I mentioned the two principles in Chapeter 3 and of course just as with an earthly family the same goes for God's family. John refers to us as passing from death unto life. Unfortunately those who are never birthed into the family of God will suffer the Spiritual death.  

As also with any life especially the Christian life it will not be an easy one and for some Christians in third world countries they are experiencing the same hate just like our Saviour did when He walked the earth.

Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Joh 3:4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

Joh 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Joh 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

Joh 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

Joh 17:14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world h

The second principle and the main focus of this weeks message is LOVE and especially the love we have for each other in the church family. You CAN NOT continually hate your brother or sister in the flesh let alone the family of God. If you continually have this hatred in your body it is a sign of spiritual deadness. But with the love we are suppose to have for each our fellowship with one another not only grows but our fellowship with the Lord grows as well.

I have brought this out not too long ago in one of my messages. We the church are suppose to the building blocks nooot the wrecking crew. We are the first ones to shoot our wounded.

Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

John makes a strong statement in vs.15 that whoever hates his brother is a murderer. We know from the very foundation of the world with Cain and Abel what hatred is capable of.

The person who continuously evidences hate is NOT a Christian!! But there hope as with all people Jesus can gloriously save them and put that love in their hearts.

The Practice Of Getting Along Vs. 16-18

These 2 fundamentals or principles of life and love manifest themselves in two ways.

The first is that a loving Christian is willing to sacrifice their life for his fellow Christians just as Christ did for the whole world.

Secondly a loving Christian is willing to serve others vs. 17 gives this account of a brother having plenty and his brother having need and not helping him.

The Process Of Getting Along vs.19-24

 

The Holy Spirit uses John in our remaining verses to give us reassurance because we are going to fail and and we will wonder if we love other believers like we should as well as am I serving Christ to my best ability that the Holy Spirit has given me.

The heart here refers to our conscience and God knows our hearts or concience better than we know our selves.

Also with the answered prayer in vs. 22 hGod's answer is assured to those who keep His commandments and do those things which are pleasing in His sight.

vs.23 relates to our believing in Christ as our Saviour.

vs. 24 gives reassurance that if all this is in our lives God dwells with us. So as a Christian we can stand confidently before God not because of anything we are or have done but because our Heavenly Fathere has accomplished everything for us.