His Command and His Example

Scripture:
1 John 3:23 — “This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.”
 
Observation:
The desire of our Savior is to believe in Him as the forgiver of sin and the Son of God. It is not only His desire but it is His command. Too, we are commanded to love one another. This type of love is a deep, Biblical and fellowship demonstration of love. A love for one another is a fruitful evidence of a genuine relationship with our Savior.
 
Application:
Do others see evidence in my life of a walk with my Savior, based upon how they are loved by me? Do I truly grasp that loving others in deed and truth was not a kind and helpful suggestion? Rather opposite of a suggestion, it was a commandment from Almighty God. I am not merely being commanded to believe in Christ as Savior and Lord, but to be a man whose life gives evidence of a redeemed soul in my love shown toward others. Christ did not give this as a command in word only. His life has given me the truest example to follow in these commands given, that I will ever see. Jesus’ life demonstrated great belief and trust in His Father’s plan for the cross upon Calvary. It is also seen in His life given upon the cross, my greatest example of love. It was His love for the Father and for me that sent Him to the cross, to give payment through His blood for my sins. His life is my example today.
 
Prayer:
The commands You have given were demonstrated through Your life. You have shown me how to live in faith and in love. I worship You and I praise You for who You are and for the life You have given. I pray that You would love others through my life today. I hope that they will see You in me today through the life that I live. You have given Your all. May I give You no less in return.  

— Steve Parten, family pastor, Reservoir campus