Loving Our Brothers and Sisters
Open Your Bible
1 John 4:20-21, 1 John 5:1-13, Romans 13:8-14, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, John 1:29-34
BY Kaitie Stoddard
Recently, I received a text message from a friend asking about the Christian life. I read the text several times over with excitement, yes, but with anxiety too. Undoubtedly, it was an answer to over a decade of prayer, a small crack for the light to shine through. But the weight of this opportunity to share my faith in Jesus was also overwhelming.
I think the apostle John would understand both my passion and my pause. Every word he writes drips with longing for people to know the truth: that Jesus is the Son of God, the way to salvation. I long for my friend to know the truth too. But sharing the gospel is on a different level than convincing someone to reduce their gluten intake; it’s a matter of spiritual life and death.
Many churches utilize the personal testimonies of believers as a way to help others see the hand of the One they cannot see. We encourage each other with stories of how God has worked in our lives, how He’s freed us, and how we’ve come to know He is real.
I love testimonies, but sometimes I wrongly believe my own testimony needs to convince people of God rather than simply tell them about what He’s done in my life. I automatically begin thinking about what I should and shouldn’t say, strategizing in my own strength instead of relying on God’s power to help me. No wonder I feel anxious at the mere thought of sharing the gospel.
John rightly points us beyond his own testimony and on to God’s, which is far greater (1John 5:9). You and I aren’t the only ones testifying that Jesus is King; the Creator of the universe and everything He’s created declare the truth too (Psalm 19:1). God Himself declares the truth of Christ:
Through the Spirit, the water, and the blood (1John 5:7–8).
Through prophecies and power (Matthew 1:18–24).
Through the baptism of Christ Jesus (Matthew 3:16–17).
Through Christ’s perfect sacrificial death (Matthew 26:28).
“The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister,” in both word and deed (1John 4:21). When friends and family ask us where our hope comes from, we can let go of the pressure to find the perfect words or our need to convince them of the truth of the gospel of Christ. As God’s daughters, it is not just our testimony that matters. We are also bearing witness to God’s testimony—one that never fails. “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. The one who has the Son has life. The one who does not have the Son of God does not have life” (John 5:11–12).
64 thoughts on "Loving Our Brothers and Sisters"
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I feel like this is very relevant to remember in our current crisis. We must love each other and take care of each other always. I always try to remind myself of this when I’m at the grocery store if the line is taking long: have patience and love your neighbor. Some people would act rude in this situation, but with this passage in my heart I take a step back and act with patience and kindness, which is needed now more than ever.
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And this is the victory that has overcome the world…our faith!
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Loving our neighbor during this weird time we are in often feels difficult or nearly impossible. I have shifted my perspective to find new, innovative ways to love my neighbor; sending cards, leaving gift boxes on doorsteps, bringing donuts to a friend, commenting an uplifting remastered on a social media post… there are so many ways to show God’s love to others even when we cannot physically be near them. I continue to struggle with keeping up communication with friends and not letting relationships go by the wayside, but I am trying to be more mindful of this and do my best!
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Love the reminder! I need to love myself well in order to love others and that’s a process !
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I really appreciated the reminder in today’s devotion that we are not the only ones witnessing to Christ in the world. And I am certainly not the only one! I think I can also get a bit caught up and anxious about how to make the most of every interaction with my unbelieving friends and family, and can feel like it’s my job to persuade and convict and change hearts. Deep down I know that only the Holy Spirit can do that, but that belief doesn’t always shape my actions! I’m thankful once again that God is in control and is able to do immeasurably more than I can ask or imagine. He asks me to be faithful in doing my part, but even more he asks me to trust Him, that He knows best and is still working even when I can’t see it.
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I really appreciated the reminder in today’s devotion that we are not the only ones witnessing to Christ in the world. And I am certainly not the only one! I think I can also get a bit caught up and anxious about how to make the most of every interaction with my unbelieving friends and family, and can feel like it’s my job to persuade and convict and change hearts. Deep down I know that only the Holy Spirit can do that, but that belief doesn’t always
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I can relate to what Makenzie is going through with her dad. I have been praying for my dad to become a Christian for 17 years. There are times when I am faithfully praying for him and times when I’m not. I know that I’m not the perfect witness, but I just hear the Lord telling me to love him. I am praying for your dad Mackenzie, and I ask that you all pray for my dad. His name is John Heer. Thank you so much ladies, and I hope you have a blessed day! During all of this craziness, it’s so nice to know I can come here and “meet” with you all!
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Amen, happy Tuesday everyone
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