“We know that we have passed from death unto life,
because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother
abideth in death.”
1 John 3:14
The litmus test of our partaking of the resurrection Life of Jesus is revealed in the love and the care we hold for His people. We live in a day in which belief has replaced His substance. Apathy is produced by a mental assent to the Word of God, while we excuse ourselves from the evidence of His love and reality being expressed in our daily walk.
Let the power of His Word pierce our hearts!
“By this we know…”
1 John 5:2
The verity of our lives passing from our carnality, our lostness, and our isolation from the Life of God, is revealed by the depth and power of His love shown through us to His people.
Love is the demonstration of God within the life of His own. It matters little in the eyes of God what we believe if the love of Him within is lacking. Love is the signature of His Presence within us.
The truth of our life in God is summed up in one piercing statement. It is the litmus test of every believer.
“He that loveth not knoweth not God…”
1 John 4:8
A tepid heart is the revelation of a life unaffected by God.
“They profess that they know God;
but in works they deny Him…”
Titus 1:16
It is the outward life that gives evidence to the power and the nature of the inward.
“Even a child is known by his doings,
whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.”
Proverbs 20:11
The Litmus Test of this life
is love
The litmus test of whether we have truly “passed from death unto life” is expressed by our love and involvement with one another.
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“These — lowliness, meekness, long-suffering, loving forbearance — quiet, unpretending, unshowy virtues, are amongst the best means for promoting true unity in the church of God. Who is the most useful Christian? Not as a rule he who has the most transcendent genius, brilliant talents, and commanding eloquence, but he who has the most of this quiet, loving, forbearing spirit.
The world may do without its Niagara, whose thundering roar and majestic rush excite the highest amazement of mankind, but it cannot spare the thousand rivulets that glide unseen and unheard every moment through the earth, imparting life, and verdure, and beauty wherever they go. And so the church may do without its men of splendid abilities, but it cannot do without its men of tender, loving, forbearing souls.”
— David Thomas.
“By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples,
if ye have love one to another.”
John 13:35
Brian Troxel
