Steve Rugg: 1 John 4 & John 15:1-11
I’m encouraged that because we know God, we have power to overcome the world. This power helps us overcome the spirits of the world (1 John 4:4) and the world itself (1 John 5:4).
I am reminded that no matter how the world operates, I don’t have to give into that paradigm. I can act in a different and Christ-honoring way!
This section of 1 John definitely emphasizes love – God’s love for us and our love for others.
I’m so grateful that God set the example for us to follow – particularly in how Jesus acted in his years on earth. While He sets a high bar for us, Jesus gives beautiful demonstration of love in action that often befuddled the culture around Him.
God loves us in crazy, powerful ways, and we have the opportunity to do the same with the believers and not-yet-believers around us.