1 JOHN 3:16-24

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2007

WE HAVE SO MUCH POTENTIAL!

16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. 20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 1 John 3:16-24 (NKJV)

The majority of Biblical Scholars agree that the John who writes this Epistle is the same St. John who wrote the fourth Gospel. This is the twelfth of a series of Devotions on the First Epistle of John. Previous devotions can be found in the Archives. It is my hope that as we meditate on St. John’s Epistle, where the keynote is Love, that together we can grow in our Love of God.

These verses contain many individual thoughts on which to meditate. Verse 17 is the one that I have chosen to share with you today. 17 “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?”

There is no better way to identify what is most important to a person than by the way they use their worldly goods. You can often tell by this if they serve God or serve themselves. We have to be careful that we do not limit those with worldly goods to the wealthy. Even though they may be few, each of us has worldly goods. We also need to remember that the church and the nation we live in are made up of people who have worldly goods. Here are some things to think about.

It is often reported that the American farmer has the capability of producing enough crops to feed all of those worldwide who suffer from hunger. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could elect public officials who would be responsible to God and use the nations worldly goods to feed the hungry rather than for the graft and corruption that is so rampant. It can be done; we have the potential.

In years past, a group of Congregations would see the need for homes for the aged or those with disabilities. They would band together and raise the funds to purchase the materials, and then with volunteers from all the trades, build the building. They didn’t stop there; they provided the funding to operate the facility at a first class level, and they provided volunteers to fill positions that are now paid positions. The argument against this is that the costs were lower then. My response is so were our incomes. Another response is that people had more time then. There are still 24 hours in a day; it just depends on what we do with them. It can be done today -- we have the potential.

As individuals and small groups many wonderful things are done. Are they done to the best of our ability? If you are making blankets for the homeless either in your area or in distant lands, do you just haphazardly throw something together or do you make a blanket that you would be proud to have on your bed? We have the potential to bring not only warmth but also joy and a sense of feeling that someone cared enough to make such a beautiful blanket.

With just these three examples, as you meditate, consider what you do with the worldly goods and talents that God has entrusted to you. Do you see needs and shut up your heart and serve yourself? Do you ask God to lead you to what you can do to respond to the needs of others? It is your choice. We have the worldly goods and talents to bring hope to a person in need and even to change the world. Impossible, some would say. God has given us everything we need. If we do not love Him and serve ourselves, we can accomplish nothing. If we love Him and go to Him in prayer, WE HAVE THE POTENTIAL.

WE PRAY: (I often use this song-prayer concerning the spiritual needs of others, but it also fits well with physical needs.)

Lord, lay some soul upon my heart,
And love that soul through me.
And may I always do my part
To win that soul for Thee. AMEN.

A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION

Be alert and observe needs that you see or read about. If you have the talents and resources to respond, do it. Don’t ask if you can afford the time and resources. If this is God’s wish for you and you respond to His Loving Call to serve Him, He will provide for your basic needs.