some verses to chew on

1 John 3
1 See how very much our Father loves us,

         for he calls us his children,

   and that is what we are!

But the people who belong to this world don't recognize that we are God's children because they don't know him.

2 Dear friends, we are already God's children,

   but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears.

But we do know that we will be like him,

     for we will see him as he really is.

3 And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure,

           just as he is pure.


11 This is the message you have heard from the beginning:

                     We should love one another.


  16 We know what real love is

          because Jesus gave up his life for us.

So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.

17 If someone has enough money to live well

          and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion...

...how can God's love be in that person?


  18 Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other;

               let us show the truth by our actions.

19 Our actions will show that we belong to the truth,

         so we will be confident when we stand before God.

20 Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings,

              and he knows everything.


  23 And this is his commandment:

            We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ,

                  and love one another,

                just as he commanded us.

24 Those who obey God's commandments remain in fellowship with him,

           and he with them.

And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.