Blessed Assurance
May 2, 2010
by Greg Fitzsimmons
When I think of Christian love, I think of the Apostle John. In John’s gospel record he doesn’t speak of himself by name, but rather as “the disciple whom Jesus loved”. What a tender expression that is, and what a wonderful example of Christian love John gives us.
When our Lord and Savior was dying on the cross, he spoke to his mother and then to the beloved John. “When Jesus then saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour the disciple took her into his own household.” (John 19:26-27). I cannot imagine a greater compliment of a dear friend than to be entrusted with the care of that friend’s loved ones.
As Christian and as an elder, I often look to John’s example and his inspired words to strengthen me, encourage me, and guide me.
In his epistles John wrote to Christians as “little children”. This term did not originate with John. Our Lord Jesus had previously used this term in speaking to the eleven disciples after Judas had gone out to betray Him, saying “Little children, I am with you a little while longer.” (John 13:33)
Jesus then followed by telling the eleven: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) That theme of love for one another given Jesus was carried by John throughout his writings and his life. The example it gives to us is our reminder that we are to love our brothers and sisters in Christ.
When we love one another, we demonstrate our love for Jesus. As we continue to follow John’s example, we see that loving one another means more that silently caring for them. It also means teaching, correcting, and exhorting them. “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (I John 2:1) We, like John, must encourage one another to live righteously, and not sin. We are not to overlook sin, but are to encourage one another not to sin. And if our loved ones do sin, we are to exhort them to turn away from sin. We are to remind them that they, as Christians, have an Advocate with the Father. Jesus is our Advocates as well as our Savior. “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake.” (I John 2:12) Once again like John, we must let them know that when they do sin, those sins can be forgiven.
“Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.” (I John 2:28) We must remind ourselves and others that we are to abide in Him, Jesus Christ, Our Lord. By abiding in Him, we can look forward to that glorious day when we appear before the judgment seat, rather than shrinking from it in fear, dread, and shame.
“Little children, make sure no one deceives you; the one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous;…” (I John 3:7) John reminds us that if we are the wear the name of Christ and truly be His disciple, we must live righteously. To be a follower of Christ, we must always strive to live Christ-like. As the bracelets that used to be popular reminded people, we must ask daily before we act, “What would Jesus do?”
“Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.” (I John 3:18) It is easily to talk the talk, but John reminds us the importance of walking the walk. Our daily walk with Jesus lead us to actively pray for others, call on those who need help or encouragement, to think more highly of others than of ourselves. We are not to love with words, but with deeds, with actions, in truth.
“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” (I John 4:4) What comfort and confidence we draw from these words. We can face and triumph over the temptation and things of the world, with the assurance that He who is in us, as Christians, is greater that the things of this world.
“Little children, guard yourselves from idols.” (I John 5:21) Finally, John warns the little children to guard themselves from idols. Christians today face the bombardments of advertisers telling us we need newer and bigger things—homes, cars, games, clothes, all manner of things! We need the gentle, loving reminder from John that these things can become our Idols, and that we as christians are to guard ourselves from Idols.
John ended his Gospel account by telling us “This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and wrote these things, and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they we written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written”. (John 21:24-25) In closing his Gospel account, John assures us that we have all we need to know to receive and accept the salvation of Jesus. If our lives are truly led by Jesus, we too can be a “disciple whom Jesus loved”. What a blessed assurance!
Due Affection
July 12, 2009
As Christians we have all seen an alarming increase in the number of marriages that are struggling or have failed. Why? We better not avoid the question. Instead we need to take a hard look at what is happening and what we can do on our part to try and change that trend. I believe every one of us needs to take a look at ourselves and see whether we are contributors to the problem in our own marriages.
Like it or not, what we say and do, or don’t say and do, sets an example to those around us. Does the way you treat your spouse reflect a Christian example of marriage to your children and others that see you?
Numerous resources and research is available that show the various reasons why most marriages fail. Of those, most typically list the lack of communication as the number one problem in a marriage, followed closely by the lack of affection. The lack of affection here includes all types of affection, not just what occurs behind closed doors.
In Titus 2:1-5, older men and women are told to instruct the younger . This includes older women who are to instruct “young women to love their husbands”. In 1 Corinthians 7:3 the Bible says to “let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband.”
A popular theme today is to refrain from personal displays of affection while in public. As Christians we appear to have taken this idea to the extreme. As a result I rarely see couples holding hands let alone walking arm in arm, sitting side by side in the car or pew, and most would not think of kissing in public and especially not in front of their children. Our fear of going too far has caused too many to not show any affection at all. What example is that setting for the next generation?
Many of the same sources that list a lack of affection as a major cause for failure in marriage, also talk about one or both spouses growing up on a family that lacked affection. Unless we choose to change ourselves, we will keep repeating history.
Typically at this point one of the marriage partners will typically say that showing affection is just not their way of doing things. Unfortunately, selfishness and lack of affection go hand in hand. Failing to show affection to your partner is selfishness, whether it involves one or both. If you are not affectionate now, then you can choose to change. You have a choice.
In Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20 & 1 Thessalonians 5:26: the bible says to greet one another with a holy kiss. Isn’t that a pretty affectionate way to greet your brethren in public? Even though that is not a custom in this country, shouldn’t we be willing to set at least the same level of affectionate behavior with our spouses in public?
Keep in mind that it is the little things that can go a long way: a touch, a hug when your spouse is having a rough day, a tickle, a quick kiss. These things don’t cost any money, but in the end… PRICELESS!
Ron Ramage