
Christian Love (1 John 3:18–24) – Continued
Abiding (verses 23–24). When a scribe asked Jesus to name the greatest commandment, He replied, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God.’ . . . This is the first and great commandment. The second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:34–40). But God also gives us one commandment that takes in both God and man: “Believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another” (1 John 3:23). Faith toward God and love toward man sum up a Christian’s obligations. Christianity is “faith working through love” (Galatians 5:6).
Faith toward God and love toward men are two sides of the same coin. It is easy to emphasize faith, correct doctrine, and to neglect love. On the other hand, some say doctrine is not important and that love is our main responsibility. Both doctrine and love are important. When a person is justified by faith, he should know that the love of God is being poured out in his heart (Romans 5:1–5).
“Abiding in Christ” is a key experience for a believer who wants to have confidence toward God and enjoy answers to prayer. Jesus, in His message to the disciples in the Upper Room (John 15:1–14) illustrated “abiding.” He compared His followers to the branches of a vine. So long as the branch draws its strength from the vine, it produces fruit. But if it separates itself from the vine, it withers and dies.
As we have seen, when a believer walks in love, he finds it easy to obey God, and therefore he maintains a close communion with God. “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” – John 14:23.
The Holy Spirit is mentioned by name in 1 John for the first time in 3:24. John introduced us to the Holy One (1 John 2:20) with emphasis on the Spirit’s anointing and teaching ministry. (This parallels John 14:26; 16:13–14.) But the Holy One is also the abiding Spirit (1 John 3:24; 4:13). When a believer obeys God and loves the brethren, the indwelling Holy Spirit gives him peace and confidence. The Holy Spirit abides with him forever (John 14:16), but when the Spirit is grieved, He withdraws His blessings.

The Holy Spirit is also the attesting Spirit (1 John 4:1–6), giving witness to those who are truly God’s children. When a believer is abiding in Christ, the Spirit guides him and warns him of false spirits that would lead him astray.
He is also the authenticating Spirit (1 John 5:6–8), bearing witness to the person and work of Jesus Christ. This witness of the Spirit is mentioned in Romans 8:14–16.
Each member of the Godhead is involved in the “love life” of a believer. God the Father commands us to love one another, God the Son gave His life on the cross, the supreme example of love. And God the Holy Spirit lives within us to provide the love we need (Romans 5:5). To abide in love is to abide in God, and to abide in God is to abide in love. Christian love is not something we “work up” when we need it. Christian love is “poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit,” and this is your constant experience as you abide in Christ.
There are four levels on which a person may live. He may choose the lowest level, Satan’s level, and practice murder. Murderers “shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” – Revelation 21:8.
Or, a person may choose the next level, hatred. But hatred, in God’s sight, is the same as murder. A man who lives with hatred is slowly killing himself, not the other person! Psychologists have warned that malice and hatred cause all kinds of physical and emotional problems.
The third level, indifference. A man who has constant hatred in his heart, or who habitually murders, proves he has never been born of God. But it is possible to be a Christian and be indifferent to the needs of others.
A man who murders belongs to the devil, like Cain. A man who hates belongs to the world (1 John 3:13), which is under Satan’s control. But a Christian who is indifferent is living for the flesh, which still serves Satan’s purposes.
The only happy, holy way to live is on the highest level, the level of Christian love. This is the life of joy and liberty, the life of answered prayer. It assures you confidence and courage in spite of the difficulties of life.

Adapted and modified excerpts from Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary Volume 2.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.