◄ What Does 1 John 3:19 Mean? ►

Love is of God, and the fruit of the Spirit is love. It is as we obediently abide in Christ, on Whom we feed and through Whom we draw all we need for life and godliness, that we will know without a shadow of doubt, we are walking in spirit and truth. For as our heart is transparent before Him, so our inner, God-given conscience will not condemn us.

Love is the primary theme that weaves itself throughout this passage, and Christlike love is the identifying mark of a Christian, for we are God's children. We are born of His Spirit, washed in His blood, and are being transformed, day after day, into the beautiful image and likeness of the lovely Lord Jesus, as we grow in grace and in a knowledge of Him.

Love is manifest in practical righteousness and is closely linked with truth and hope, life and light. Love is sharply contrasted with the dark and deadly evils of sin and rebellion, deception and destruction which are the bitter product of the enemy of our soul and the identifying mark of those that practice lawlessness.

Love, hope, obedience, and truth are the Christlike characteristics that identify us as God's children. The outworking of love in thought, in conscience, in word, and in deed, are the distinguishing marks "by which we know we are of the truth," and which give us certainty that we are honouring our God and Saviour.

To KNOW that we are walking in love and in truth, is not an outward show of benevolence to impress others. It is not the whipping up of a false emotion or feeling, nor is it the suppression of a bad conscience. We will know we are of the truth when we love others in word and in deed as Christ loved us. This knowledge will comfort us and assure our heart before Him, for our inner being and God-given conscience will not condemn those that are living in spirit and walking in truth. 

May the love of Christ flow through us to others, such that Christlike love becomes the identifying factor in each of our lives. May the words we speak, the acts we perform, and the motive behind all we do, be rooted and grounded in love for the Lord and a true devotion towards our fellow man.

May we live and work for His praise and glory so that by this we know we are walking in spirit and truth. May we be so in tune with our Lord and Saviour that our inner conscience is clear before HIM.

Heavenly Father, it is most wonderful to know I have all I need to live in love and to love others as Christ loved me. Help me to abide in Him and He in me so I may know I am walking in spirit and in truth. May I draw closer to You every moment of the day and may both my words and deeds be honouring to You. Help me to walk in righteousness all the days of my life, keeping the eyes of my heart on Jesus and maintaining a clear conscience before You. Change me, I pray, from one state of glory to the next for the honour of Your name so that when I stand before You, I may hear You say, "Well done good and faithful servant." This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.