Head: Know God’s Word | Heart: Love God | Hands: Follow God’s Way
Read 1 John 5:2-3
"By this, we know that we love the children of God when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His Commandments." 1 John 5:2-3
Are you a Christian, a follower of Christ? John presents five things in our lives that show how God has changed us when we become believers and followers of Jesus. Today, we will learn about trusting Jesus with our LIVES and putting our FAITH in Him.
Head
A true Christian believes that Jesus is the Son of God and the Christ (the promised Savior). This is not just knowing facts about Him, but trusting Him with our whole lives! What does it mean to believe that Jesus is the Son of God? Jesus was fully God and fully man. He came to the earth to take on the sins of the world. After dying on the cross for our sins, he was buried and raised to life three days later! He is coming again as the king of the world, where knees will bow and confess that He is Lord.
John tells us that true Christians show their faith by how they live. It is not just what we believe or feel, but how we obey God's commands. Obedience doesn't earn us salvation, but it is evidence of it. If we truly love God, we want to do what pleases Him.
Heart
True faith changes our hearts. God loves us so much that He sent His one and only son to die on the cross so our sins could be forgiven. Do you realize that you are a sinner in need of forgiveness? If you do, confess your sins to God. When we believe in Jesus, God lives in us. We have a relationship with God. Loving God starts with trusting in who He is and what He's done through Jesus. When we really believe, love begins to grow for God and for others. Obeying God is the same. He isn't looking for rule-followers. He's looking for hearts that trust His love and want to obey him.
Hands
Faith is believing something that you can't see. Just like when the wind blows, you don't see it, but you know it exists because you feel it and see the results of it blowing. Faith is seeing with the eyes of our heart and soul. Faith that is real leads to action. If you say you're a fast runner, you prove it by running fast. If we believe in Jesus, we will want to follow His ways, obey His Word, and love others. This proves it! This looks like asking for forgiveness for your sins, proclaiming that Jesus is Lord, and following Him in baptism.
Faith is not about perfection but direction. We start walking toward Jesus, not away from Him. If you have never put your faith in what Jesus did on the cross for you, what are you waiting for? Talk to your family or your KXP leader so they can help guide you in your next step of faith.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for giving us the truth about what it means to be Your child. Let our faith grow stronger, our hearts love You more, and our lives show we belong to You. Help us to be bold and courageous by taking the next step to follow you. In Jesus' name, Amen.