Stephan Hoffman

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognise the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.1 John 4:1-3

Read 1 John 4:1-21

To be able to distinguish between the truth and a lie is very important. In ancient Greek philosophy, there were many ideas about what truth was. John says that we as believers can distinguish between the true and false spirit of people by listening carefully to what they preach. Once again; it seems that there are only two options; either you preach that Jesus Christ became man and conquered death or you preach something else. Jesus Christ remains the foundation on which you build or the stone over which you fall.

John also distinguishes between people who are from and of God, and those who are from and of the world. The only way to find out whether you are of God or of the world, is to ask yourself, "Do I unselfishly love God and love others?" The reason why I must have love is not because I'm so good or noble or because I deserve it, but because God loved me first. God does not love us because we deserve it, in fact we deserve God's punishment. God loves us because it is his nature. God is unselfish. John says, "God is love".

It seems there are two kinds of motivating factors in life. Either you are driven by fear or you are motivated by love. Fear chases you from behind, you expect punishment and run away, but it always catches up to you. Love motivates you from the future. You see the new life that Christ has already accomplished for you ahead and the love of God draws you closer. This love of God shines like a light in the dark tunnel of our existence and illuminates our circumstances and our hearts with hope.

You cannot possibly keep this love of God to yourself, it would be like breathing in but not breathing out. To live a life of love you have to share the love you receive with others. Let us choose again to live in the light of truth. Let us choose to live in God's grace. Let us choose to be motivated by love and not by fear!

The world needs love. People who are caught up in the terrifying existence of the world and driven by fear and selfishness need the light of God's love so desperately. Let’s show someone right now who has gone astray in the dark that there is truth, love and hope in Jesus Christ.

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for love. I choose to live in your truth. I choose to let you lead me in love Please help me by your Spirit, so that I will follow. Amen.