All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.” vs. 24
1 John 3:19-24
While there is nowhere that God is not, sometimes individuals wonder whether God dwells within them. They yearn for some kind of proof that the Divine Presence is in their hearts. For such folks John indicates that there is an external sign that God abides in us, and that is by the Spirit that has been given to us. At first those words seem obscure, but not when they’re read within the context of this passage. John is very clear; the Spirit is made visible by our generosity! There are many who claim to be religious, and who love to dazzle others with their piety and familiarity with scripture. But if they’re tight-fisted and reluctant to share their bounty with the needy, the Spirit of God does not dwell within them. A more familiar way of saying this is, “the proof is in the pudding,” or as Jesus was fond of saying, “by their fruits you shall know them.” The strength of a person’s relationship to God is never hidden, but is visible to any who are exposed to their words and actions. Is it possible to be fooled? Of course! But we can be pretty confident that generosity is generally not an imitated virtue. Those who have the world’s goods are almost always inclined to keep them!
Thought for the Day: How do I know God abides in me?
0 Comments