And This Is His Command – 1 John 3:23

And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them.

1 John 3:23-24a NIV

I am a rule follower. I like clearly defined requirements, so I know what to expect and what I should be doing. And that is just as true in my life as a Christian. I would like a clearly defined set of expectations that tells me what I should and should not do.

But what is really important? What does God really want from me? Is it to follow a set of rules like the Ten Commandments? While these are good, and there are many other ethical instructions in the Bible, is it enough to just follow those dos and don’ts?

I believe that this passage answers that question. To believe in the name of Jesus and to love one another. If we do that, God is pleased with us and lives within us.

God’s Expectations

To believe in the name of Jesus is much more than a one-time event from my past. And it is more than believing what the Bible says about Him. It is a way of life. Trusting in Him as my Lord. And following faithfully as His disciple.

To love one another is more than an emotional feeling, although that can be a part of it. Agape is an active love. It is choosing to do what is beneficial for my fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord. It is living a life of love.

What does God expect of me as His child? To faithfully walk with Christ. And to love those that I am walking with. No rules. Just a faithful life of love. That is His command.

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