Godly Living

How does the love of God abide in him? How does the love of God abide in a person who has plenty and sees another person in need, but closes their heart against them? The answer to this question is clear and unmistakable - He cannot! This selfish and uncaring attitude toward another human does not invalidate their salvation as some like to teach, but it does show they are looking out for themselves and out of fellowship with the Father - for the love of God is not being reflected in their life.
Godly living inevitably comes back to abiding in Christ, walking in spirit and truth, dying to self, and allowing Christ to live in us and through us. This can never be carried out in our own strength, and a believer will expose his sinful ways through a lack of love and concern for others in need.

Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word of truth and the many things we can learn from questioning our own actions, attitudes, moods, and motives. Thank You for this passage in first John that has caused us to reflect on the way that we treat other people, and may we grow more like Jesus, day by day. Thank You for all Your goodness in providing all we need for life and godliness, but keep us from holding on too tightly to our possessions. Help us to be wise and prudent in the way we use our resources and generous towards others when we see a need. Search our inner thoughts, we pray, and if there is anything in us that causes you pain, we pray that You would bring it to our attention and help us grow in wisdom and love. This we ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.