1st John 3:23. "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.” AS HE GAVE US COMMANDMENT. It is really not complicated, this commandment of God – He would not have given it if He didn’t expect us to obey. This commandment sums up all the teaching of the Lord – We are to believe on Him and love one another He did say.
I cannot believe on Him, without loving Him and others – I cannot love others without believing it’s plain to see. In the family of God believers are sisters and brothers – By God’s grace and through faith all are related to me.
True faith is expressed in my conduct and practice – It would be inconsistent to say and not do what He says. Believing the name implies I will do no action That will dishonor His offices nor bring shame on His name.
Right doctrine will always lead to right behavior in life – The name of His Son Jesus Christ is enough incentive to please. The command He gave to love others does away with strife – And the command to believe means I will do what He says.
“Heavenly Father, it appears to me that the attitude of faith and love in Thy people here on earth, would well represent what Thy intentions are for the future too. When all the saints of God are together, we will respond “as He gave us commandment.” By Thy grace help me to do this now so others can see Christ in the life of Thy family. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
When fellowship is assured, then in confidence we have boldness to "make our requests known unto God." The prayers we make and the answers He gives are in "full assurance of faith." When our lives and labors are in fellowship with the Father and the Son, He answers in the way that is most suitable to His will. As we commit ourselves to His truth, and habitually doing those things that honor Him, we "ask" and "receive" from Him that which we ask. Abiding in Christ involves close fellowship, walking in the light with Him, obeying what is taught by the Spirit in the scriptures and living in confident assurance with Him. He is our Father and we are His children who He blesses.
His name identifies who He is and what His character is. It represents Him so when we believe in His name, we believe all for which His name stands. He is God - His deity, and He is man - His humanity. He is the one and only Savior who was sent by the Father. He is the One appointed to be the universal Judge. He is the King, the Lord and the Prince of Peace. he is the Lover of our souls and His command for us to love one another is not a mere suggestion. It is a command to obey, not to be questioned or ignored. Actually, for those who believe in His name, love for others is a characteristic that does not have to be forced. When we live like Christ intends in fellowship with Him, we will "love one another with a pure heart fervently."
The relationship with Christ displays itself in our belief in Him, our love for His people and our commitment to live a holy righteous life. "He abides in us." The Holy Spirit is in us, given to us when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and He has sealed us as those who belong to our Lord. Even though we may fail at times, we have been redeemed and purchased by His blood. The presence of the Holy Spirit in us is both spiritual and practical. Spiritually He empowers us as and guides us in the way of truth. Practically, His presence affects our conduct of life in a way that makes it evident that we are children of God. Our confidence is based on the actions and will of divine Persons working in and through us, even though there may be times when our hearts condemn us.