This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. We know by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. 1 John 3:23-24
We know and other know the difference in those who are Christians. Over time, the love of God in believers becomes evident. The dominant pattern of our lives become love for God and others and sin no longer controls us. Everybody else can see it. We become a testimony of truth and genuine faith in God, or not. For us, God gives us the abiding Holy Spirit, who confirms for us that we are saved.
Can people look at my life and see that I have become a lover of God and others? Are there any patterns of sin that God has yet to change? I believe my love for God is evident.
God, You know I am not yet perfected and that I stumble in sin. But, I really do see how Your Spirit has changed me from the inside to love and appreciate You as my creator, my guide, my friend, my Lord and my God. And loving people seems mostly effortless because You have placed a love in my heart for others that was not always there.
