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Discover how to transform your approach to love by exploring the impactful teachings from the First Epistle of John, Chapter 3. What if the love you give could transcend earthly conditions and reach divine heights? Join me, Christie, as we unpack the profound essence of Christian love—unconditional, sacrificial, and personal. By understanding these three elements, as instructed by John, we’ll unravel the mystery of how true Christian love sets itself apart from worldly relationships. Let’s delve into John 3:16 and reflect on how sacrificial love mirrors the divine sacrifice of God’s Son, challenging us to embody that same depth of love in our own lives.
The journey through this chapter is an enlightening one, guiding us to recognize ourselves as children of God and embrace a life of purity like Christ’s. We tackle the stark contrasts between God’s children and the devil’s children, defined by love or its absence. This episode is about more than just understanding scripture; it's an invitation to live it. Grab your favorite coffee or tea, find a quiet space, and immerse yourself in a discussion that promises to reshape how you embody and express love, staying true to the teachings of John.
Thank you for joining us in this episode of In the Field Audio Bible, where we explore the richness of God’s Word, one chapter at a time. We hope today’s reading brought insight, comfort, or inspiration to your journey of faith.
As we close, we invite you to take a moment to reflect on what God might be speaking to you through this passage. Remember, the Bible is a living text meant to guide, uplift, and transform. Whether you’re seeking answers, peace, or encouragement, know that God’s presence is with you in every season.
If this episode has been meaningful to you, consider sharing it with friends or family who might benefit. And don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss our next chapter. Together, we’ll continue exploring the stories and wisdom that have brought hope to generations and continue to shape our lives today.
We’d love to hear your thoughts and questions! Feel free to send us a text to let us know how In the Field Audio Bible is impacting your faith journey. Until next time, may God’s Word guide and bless you.
Thank you for listening, and stay tuned for our next episode in this journey through the Bible one chapter at a time.
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Welcome to the reading of the First Epistle of John, Chapter 3, with In the Field Audio Bible.
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My name is Christie, your host for this episode.
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In this chapter, John tells us how to love one another.
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There is a yearning for us to love people and for them to love us back.
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Personally, I have always wanted to know how to love others.
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It is a weird question because we should already know, or so we thought.
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John puts forth three elements on how Christians are supposed to love one another.
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If you have ever wanted a biblical instruction manual, this is it.
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First, we are to love unconditionally.
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So let's go back to what I said earlier there is a yearning for us to love people and for them to love us back.
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This give and take process is conditional If you love me, I will love you back.
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This is the earthly way we love one another.
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However, John says that we are to love unconditionally.
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Second, we are to love sacrificially.
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Remember John 3:16?
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"For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
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" God demonstrated His love for the lost humankind by sending His only begotten Son to pay the debt for our sins.
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Think of a time when you sacrificed something so that another person could benefit from it.
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You did so out of love, so that it would provide comfort to this person, knowing that you would do without.
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This difference shows our earthly take on what divine love is supposed to look and feel like.
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Achieving it through Him.
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Finally, we are to love personally.
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The only Christ most people will ever see is the Christ they see in us, and you may be the one person.
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Therefore, we are to show God's love for others through our demonstration of love to His Son, Jesus Christ.
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Again, we are to love one another unconditionally, sacrificially and personally, and do so centering our love on Jesus.
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I hope you are in your quiet place with your favorite coffee or tea while enjoying this reading of the First Epistle of John, Chapter 3.
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The First Epistle of John, Chapter 3.
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See what amazing love the Father has given us.
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Because of it, we are called children of God, and that's what we really are.
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The world doesn't know us because it didn't know Him.
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Dear friends, now we are children of God.
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He still hasn't let us know what we will be, but we know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him.
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That's because we will see Him as he really is.
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Christ is pure.
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All who hope to be like Him make themselves pure.
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Everyone who sins breaks the law.
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In fact, breaking the law is sin.
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But you know that Christ came to take our sins away and there is no sin in Him.
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No one who remains joined to Him keeps on sinning.
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No one who keeps on sinning has seen him or known him.
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Dear children, don't let anyone lead you astray.
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The person who does what is right is holy, just as Christ is holy.
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The person who does what is sinful belongs to the devil.
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That's because the devil has been sinning from the beginning, but the Son of God came to destroy the devil's work.
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Those who are God's children will not keep on sinning.
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God's very nature remains in them.
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They can't go on sinning.
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That's because they are God's children.
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Here is how you can tell the difference between God's children and the devil's children.
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Anyone who doesn't do what is right isn't God's child, and anyone who doesn't love their brother or sister isn't God's child either.
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From the beginning, we have heard that we should love one another.
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Don't be like Cain.
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He belonged to the evil one.
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He murdered his brother.
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And why did he murder him?
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Because the things Cain had done were wrong, but the things his brother had done were right.
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Wrong, but the things his brother had done were right.
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My brothers and sisters, don't be surprised if the world hates you.
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We know that we have left our old, dead way of life and we have entered into new life.
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We know this because we love one another.
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Anyone who doesn't love still lives in their old condition.
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Anyone who hates their brother or sister is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life.
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We know what love is because Jesus Christ gave his life for us.
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So we should give our lives for our brothers and sisters.
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Suppose someone sees a brother or sister in need and is able to help them, and suppose that person doesn't take pity on these needy people, then how can the love of God be in that person?
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Dear children, don't just talk about love.
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Put your love into action, Then it will truly be love.
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Then it will truly be love.
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Here's how we know that we hold to the truth and here's how we put our hearts at rest, knowing that God is watching.
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If our hearts judge us, we know that God is greater than our hearts and he knows everything.
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Dear friends, if our hearts do not judge us.
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We can be bold with God and he will give us anything we ask.
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That's because we obey His commands.
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We do what pleases Him.
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God has commanded us to believe in the name of His Son, jesus Christ.
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He has also commanded us to love one another.
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The one who obeys God's commands remains joined to Him, and he remains joined to them.
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Here is how we know that God lives in us.
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We know it because of the Holy Spirit he gave us.
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