Key Verse: 'We know love
by this, that he (Jesus Christ) laid down his life for us - and
we ought to lay down our lives for one another' (1 John 3:16).
Introduction
Today's Epistle describes
the comforting certaintiy and mandate, which are the central focus of life' and living, within
Christ-centered witnessing paschal faith communities. The comforting certainty is the same agape love for one
another, which Jesus Christ has for all mankind. The mandate is to believe in the name of Jesus Christ, as Lord. Witnessing paschal faith
communities who are have passed over from spiritual death into spiritual life, can now be found in all traditions, religions, cultures, ethnic and secular
groups, throughout our planet.
These believers now study,
know and imitate the mindset and character of Jesus Christ, in their thought life,
attitudes, relationships, actions and daily lives. Empowered by the
Holy Spirit they seek and serve Christ, God's Image and Likeness in the
spiritual body of Jesus Christ and all persons, as fully revealed and modeled in life and teachings of Jesus Christ
(Genesis 1:26-31, John 14:6, Colossians 2:9). They love their neighbors as themselves (1 John
3:14-15).
Grounding principles and
practices
The Apostle John
declares, "We know love by this, the he (Jesus Christ), laid down his life
for us - and we ought to lay down our lives for one another" (1 John
3:16). These believers thought-life, relationships and actions are therefore
grounded in the practice of agape love in the mind of the spirit, as revealed in Jesus Christ. They are
enabled and empowered to practice agape love, by following Jesus the living the
Paschal Mystery, in the mind of the spirit (Luke 4:14-21). They follow Jesus
Christ by living their lives, no longer in the mind of the flesh. They
imitate Jesus Christ by clothing their thoughts, relationships, actions and
lives in the mind of the spirit (Romans 8:1-17, Philippians 2:5-11, 1 John 3:16).
Manifest agape love
Practicing agape love is vital in maintaining the
integrity and witness of the Gospel of Christ, within witnessing paschal faith
communities. Like Jesus Christ these believes are concerned, merciful and
compassionate to those who are in need. They practice sacrificial and forgiving
love. In fellowship with Jesus Christ, they seek closer unity, justice and
respect for the people of all traditions, cultures and races, in every land and nation, throughout our
planet earth (1 John 3:17-18).
Confidence before God in Christ
Believing in the name
of Jesus Christ to many means steadfastly following Jesus Christ in living the
Paschal Mystery in the mind of the spirit. In living the Paschal Mystery
believers are able to put on the nature and character of Christ, God's Image
and Likeness, as revealed in Jesus Christ. Guided and empowered by the
Holy Spirit they are able to discern, fulfill and manifest God's will for all mankind. Through faith, repentance, humility and obedience, their consciences, hearts and
minds are cleansed and purified before God. When their hearts condemn them,
through confession, repentance, faith, grace and truth, believers are made right before God
(1 John 3:19-22).
Faith and love enjoined
The Apostle John opens and
closes today's Epistle by again admonishing witnessing paschal faith
communities, to believe in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. John assures
believers that all who obey Jesus Christ's mandate to practice agape love, will abide in Christ and
Christ will abide in them, as indwelling LORD (LOGOS, ADONAI, JEHOVAH).
Believers, who abide in Christ (the Begotten), also have the assurance and witness of
the Holy Spirit, (Begetting) in their thoughts, relationship and lives (John 16:5-11, 1 John 3:23-24)
Conclusion
Do you believe in the name of Jesus Christ as
Lord? Are you willing to have agape love all people, and especially those within your
witnessing paschal faith community, just as Jesus Christ loves us? Are you
willing to follow Jesus Christ in living the Paschal Mystery, thus passing over
from spiritual death to spiritual life, by casting down the mind of the flesh and clothing yourself
in the mind of the spirit?
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