Text: 1 John 3:1-24

1. Loving as God loves is essential in obeying God’s commands as His child. I John 3:1-10
   1. If we  have genuinely received His love, we are able to show His love.  I John 3:1-3;  John 4:7-8
   2. If we have genuinely received His love, we are ale to live out His love.  I John 3:4-9; I John 4:9-12
   3. If we have genuinely received God’s love, then we can truly live righteously.  I John 3:10; I John 4:13-21
2. Loving as God loves is essential in displaying God’s love to the world.  I John 3:11-22
   1. Living and loving like God is commanded from the beginning.  I John 3:11
      1. This is no command – I John 2:7-11; II John 5-6
      2. This command is clearly stated at the beginning of God’s Word.  Lev. 19:18, 34
      3. The new part of the old command is to love as we have seen Him display love.  John 13:34, 35
   2. Living and loving as God commanded is not in us naturally.  I John 3:12-15
   3. Living and loving as God commanded displays God’s love is in us.  I John 3:16-17
   4. Living and loving as God commanded displays the reality of truth.  I John 3:18-21
   5. Living and loving as God commanded enables our prayers to be effective.  I John 3:22
3. Loving as God loves is essential in identifying the Holy Spirit in our soul.  I John 3:23-24
   1. When we truly believe on Christ by faith, we receive the Holy Spirit of God.  Eph 1:12-14
   2. The Holy Spirit indwelling the soul is the greatest proof of genuine Salvation.  I Tim 1:5; II Tim 1:5
   3. The Holy Spirit is given to us to help us live beyond our own ability.  John 13:34-35; II Cor 6:6; I Peter 1:22

• Action Points:
  • How is sin in your life causing you to doubt your relationship with the Lord?
  • How is sin in your life obscuring your display of God’s love in your life?
  • How do you see God’s love in your life growing you to obey Him more?