1 John 5:1–5 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ.

“Jesus Christ is Lord” was one of the earliest creeds, a statement of belief. His name Jesus (Joshua in Hebrew) means “the Lord saves.” Christ (Greek)/Messiah (Hebrew) is the title for the one God promised to send to save His people. Those who believe Jesus Christ is who He says He is, who trust Him to be the savior, will love the Father and love others.

This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

Our faith in Jesus allows us to overcome the world because He overcame everything that separated us from God. His life without sin, His death in our place, and His victory over death accomplished that for all people.

Knowing who Jesus is and the victory He gives us motivates of to love as He would have us love. But that is a challenge in the world in which we live today. The world continues to try to redefine love. They tell us we must accept sinners in their sin to truly love them. Thank God Jesus didn’t do that. He loved sinners, spent time with them, ate with them, wanted only the best for them.

And you know what Jesus did? He forgave sinners who admitted they were sinners and repented. You know what Jesus didn’t do? He didn’t forgive sinners who refused to admit they were sinners and repent. He still loved them, which is why He grieves over their lack of faith.

Matthew 23:37 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.”

We should not hate those who are living in sin. We need to love them. We need to lovingly be examples of trying to follow Jesus. We need to lovingly share that Jesus loves them and wants them to come out of their sin so that they can receive the forgiveness He won for them.

Jesus, help us to love sinners the way that you loved them. Help us to show our love for you by the way we love others.