This verse must be where the hymn “Trust and obey” originated. This is saying you must believe in the Son, Jesus. But as we know, simply believing He is the Son of God isn’t enough:
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. (James 2:19)
This is why the Apostle John continues. He first says you must ‘believe in’ the Son. Next, you must ‘believe’ the Son. What’s the difference? You must believe in Him, but the next step is you must also trust Him enough to want to obey His teachings. I can believe in someone without actually believing what they say or teach.
So we must obey His teaching….obey what? It’s quite simple, really. Jesus tells us to love God and each other:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
The world needs to see this love in action! If we love one another as Christ commanded us, we will show the world a love people won’t recognize – and many will want to learn more about. I believe this is one of the great failures of this generation. We have ‘christians’ in name, that are worldly in action. We should be the example of what Christ’s love really looks like – how else will people realize what they are missing out on?
Let’s leave behind a legacy of love – we have been given the greatest Gift ever….let’s act like it!
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8)
#LoveMatters