The Mark Of Growth

The Mark of Growth I John 4:17-20-21

As we go into our new building there will be new faces, some who will visit just to check us out, and maybe some right now, just waiting to join us when we get into our new building. What will be our attitude? Will they stay when they really ‘know us?” Will we have a sense of ownership, and the attitude of, “Where were you?”

17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.

According to I John 4:17, Love is the Christians confidence in judgement. My mark of growth, and your mark of growth in Christ Jesus, as well as, inside the kingdom of God is, our love walk. Some, seem to love complete strangers, others, seem to love old relationships, some, pick and chose, and play favorites. However, In John’s writings, he pretty much some’s it all up.

Vs. 20NLT If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?

Maybe, we could rebuttal by saying, “I love Christian brothers and sisters, from a distance.” I can say, “I love you. It’s just a little different as they get a little too close. I can smile, I can act, I can show them who’s in control by my loveless ways when I need to. You know, I know them now, and their not as smart, are as good as I am. There not the man of God, or the woman of God, I am!” They have done crossed me now, I’ll show them my true love!”

Vs.20 again, If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar;

The truth is, you love God intellectually, or you love God, out of guilt, or you love God, because He doesn’t shake your hand, or call you on the phone, and maybe you keep Him at bay, as well as, brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Claiming love is not enough, Love isn’t sentiment,(feelings) but deeds.

You might say, “But he or she doesn’t show me deeds!”

The one true mark of a real believer is, love. (Love wears clothes, he or she isn’t always like you.)

I John 3:15-16NLT Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.16.We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.

Satan’s children are marked by indifference toward others’ Their lack of love.

With hate, the attitude is equal to the act. Verse 15 say’s, Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart... However, remember, with love, the attitude is equal to the act

I John 4:20b if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? (Attitude)

Maybe we fool ourselves, maybe, we have learned to love God through our knowledge, (Learned) Maybe we really love God on our terms, “God, now you bless me, and never allow something bad to happen to me.” (Because if You do!)

What if God had a great big wart, or what if God loved something you detested? What if His personality bought conflict to you?

I John 4:21NLT And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their Christian brothers and sisters.

The mark of maturity, and the mark of love, is to get over every indifference!

I John 2:9-10NLT If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness. 10 Anyone who loves another brother or sister is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble.

I John 3:11NLT This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

I John 3:14-15NLT If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. 15 Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.