(Photo by Silas Baisch on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible.)
Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Pacific.
In Lesson 94, we are going to study the last part of 1 John 3:10.
Let’s read this part of the verse:
1 John 3:10 ...nor is anyone who does not love their brother or sister.
Let’s go over the definitions of the words.
Nor is (2532. kai) anyone who (3588. ho, hé, to) — means neither is the one who.
Does not love (25. agapaó) — means to not have or demonstrate a deliberate, selfless love that seeks the good of others, following the example of Christ.
Their (846. autos) brother and sister (80. adelphos) — means their fellow believer or fellow Christian.
In other words, the person who does not demonstrate a deliberate, selfless love toward their fellow believers gives evidence that they do not belong to God.
In Lesson 93, we learned that there are two spiritual families: the family of God and the family of the devil. If someone does not practice righteousness as a pattern of their life, they are not a child of God. In the same way, if someone does not demonstrate a deliberate, selfless love toward their fellow believers, this gives evidence that they do not belong to God.
This does not mean believers are perfectly sinless. Rather, those who belong to God should increasingly reflect His character through a life marked by righteousness and love.
In this part of the verse, John teaches that love for our brothers and sisters in Christ should characterize those who belong to the family of God. Those who continually refuse to love their fellow believers are demonstrating a pattern of life that is inconsistent with belonging to God.
It is important to understand that loving others does not cause or earn our salvation. We are saved by placing our faith in Jesus Christ and trusting in His finished work on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins.
Through faith in Christ, we are born again and become part of the family of God. The Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us, and our love for others becomes evidence that God is transforming our lives.
In 1 John 4:8, we read that God is love. As children of God, we should reflect the character of our Father. Because the Holy Spirit dwells in us, God’s love should increasingly be reflected in the way we live and love others.
1 John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Your faith in Christ should produce a growing, Christlike love for fellow believers. As you mature in Christ, your love for others should increasingly grow.
In John 13:34-35, Jesus commands His followers to love one another as He has loved us. He teaches that our love for one another is evidence that we are His disciples.
John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
Jesus demonstrated a deliberate, selfless love that seeks the good of others. This type of love is more than an emotion or feeling. It is demonstrated through our actions, attitudes, forgiveness, service, and willingness to seek the good of others.
When you are with other believers, you will not always like or agree with them. Loving fellow believers means choosing to treat them with Christlike love, even when it is difficult.
In Galatians 5:22-23, we read that love is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. As we walk by the Spirit and yield to His work in our lives, He produces this kind of love in us. Ask the Lord to fill you with His Spirit, guide you, and produce the fruit of the Spirit in your life.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
If someone continually refuses to love a fellow believer, this is inconsistent with being a child of God. It is contrary to the character of God, because God is love.
In 1 John 3:15, John takes this even further. He says that everyone who hates their brother and sister is a murderer and that eternal life does not abide in a murderer. John is showing us that hatred is not merely an outward action, it reveals what is happening in a person’s heart. Hatred toward a fellow believer is contrary to the love that should characterize someone who has been born of God.
John is not saying that every moment of anger or struggle with another believer means that someone is not saved. Rather, he is warning against a settled pattern of hatred that is incompatible with the life of God.
Christians should not allow hatred, bitterness, and unforgiveness to become the pattern of their life. Instead, as we grow in Christ, His love should increasingly be reflected in how we treat others.
1 John 3:15 Everyone who hates their brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.
In conclusion, John is teaching us that love for fellow believers should characterize those who belong to God. When someone continually refuses to love their fellow believers and instead holds onto hatred, bitterness, and unforgiveness, this is contrary to the character of God.
It is important to understand that becoming angry or struggling with another believer does not automatically mean that you are not a Christian. We are still growing, and we will sometimes struggle with our emotions and relationships.
However, as we follow Jesus, we should increasingly learn to forgive, love, and serve others as Christ commanded us. When we recognize sin in our lives, we should confess it to God, ask for His forgiveness, and turn from it. As we continue to walk with Christ, He will transform us and His love should increasingly be reflected in our lives.
Remember, loving others does not save you. We are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by our works. But genuine faith produces a transformed life. Jesus said that our love for one another would identify us as His disciples.
Be encouraged. God’s desire is to transform you to become more and more like Christ each day. As you abide in Him and walk by the Spirit, He will produce His love in you and help you love others, even when it is difficult.
Ask God to fan the flame of love in your heart, so that you will increasingly love and serve others.
Here’s a prayer to help you respond to today’s lesson.
God, thank You for loving me and for making me part of Your family through faith in Jesus Christ. Help me to love my fellow believers with the selfless love of Christ. Show me where I am holding onto anger, bitterness, or unforgiveness. Help me to confess my sin, forgive others, and seek their good. Fill me with Your Spirit and help me increasingly reflect the love of Christ in my life. Amen.
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Listen to these lessons over and over again.
Meditate on God’s Word throughout the day. Pray continually. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.
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Thank you and God bless you.
Jeff M Newman
