Living as Children of God – a 1 John 3 Story
Samantha was walking home from work one day when she saw a homeless man sitting on the curb. She felt a tug on her heart to go talk to him, but she hesitated. As she walked past him, she heard a small voice whisper, "Love one another." She stopped in her tracks and turned to face the man. She introduced herself and asked if he needed anything. He told her he was hungry and hadn’t eaten all day. Samantha took him to a nearby restaurant and bought him a meal. As they ate together, she learned that he lost his job, his wife and his home. Samantha felt a deep sense of compassion and love for the man, and decided to help him get back on his feet.
A few weeks later, Samantha found out that her neighbor was struggling with depression. She felt a nudging to reach out and encourage her. She invited her over for coffee and listened as her neighbor poured out her heart. Samantha reminded her of God’s love and encouraged her to seek help. As they prayed together, Samantha felt a sense of peace and joy fill the room.
Samantha’s acts of love and kindness didn’t go unnoticed. Her coworkers and friends started to take notice of how she was living differently. They asked her what motivated her to love others so selflessly. Samantha shared with them the love of Christ and how He had transformed her life. She explained how 1 John 3:18 had become her life verse, "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
Samantha’s life was a testimony to the truth of God’s Word. She lived as a child of God, and her actions reflected the love of her Heavenly Father. Her life was a beacon of hope and love to those around her. She continued to love others even when it was hard, knowing that it was the right thing to do. Samantha knew that God had called her to live a life of love, and she was grateful for the opportunity to share His love with others.
In conclusion, 1 John 3 reminds us that as children of God, we are called to love one another. It’s not enough to just say we love others, we must show it through our actions. As we love others, we reflect the love of our Heavenly Father to a hurting world. Let us be like Samantha, living as children of God, and showing His love to those around us. "Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." (1 John 3:18)