1 John 4:13: By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
The mutual abiding of a believer in God and God in that believer is indicated by that believer’s experience of the Spirit. The Greek for “of His Spirit” (ek tou pneumatos) suggests participation in the Spirit of God, literally, “He has given us out of His Spirit.” When a believer loves, he is drawing that love from God’s Spirit, who is also the Source of his confession of Christ. Thus both the faith and the love enjoined in the dual “command” are products of the Spirit’s operation in a believer. A believer’s Spirit-led obedience becomes the evidence that he is enjoying the mutual abiding relationship with God. 1
Loving Him
Galatians 5:22-26 gives the evidence of what happens when we are abiding with Him. Examine each one of those nine fruits of the Spirit. How can they become more evident in your life? Also notice that there are three things that we do not want to become (v.26).
And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 1 John 3:23–24
Loving Others
We abide in Him, only because He abides in us through the Holy Spirit. – TWEET IT
Changing Me
Lord, thank You for always being present in Your children and allowing them to bear fruit for the glory of God.
1. Walvoord, J. F., & Zuck, R. B., Dallas Theological Seminary. (1985). The Bible Knowledge Commentary
