There is such a richness and fullness in this portion of Scripture that words fail to explain; we need the Lord to give us a special opening of our understanding to unfold this message and special grace to understand it. May the Lord be with us and give us a glimpse of the contents.

The Apostle John was a man who was very rich in experience; he was on the Mount of Transfiguration. He had the revelation of Jesus Christ on the Isle of Patmos, yet see where he directs our attention for the assurance of our salvation. Let's begin by looking at the conclusion of John's First Epistle General. "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God," 1JO 5:13.

Now compare that verse with our text above. It is not saying we are to believe in Jesus Christ, we are told to believe on the name of Jesus Christ. See the parallel with the words of our text, "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ..." It is very important that we do not leave out or add any words.

FOR OUR FIRST POINT, let's consider the Father's command, "That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ."

FOR OUR SECOND POINT, let's consider what it was that Jesus commanded His dear children; "...love one another, as he [His Son, Jesus Christ] gave us commandment." The Father's commandment is to reverence the commandment of His Son under the second table of the law.

First, take notice of the words of our text; we must realize it is the commandment of the Father "...That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ..." It becomes urgently important that we rightly understand what that means. It is none other than the First Person of the Trinity speaking: God, the Father. There is a comma after "the name of his Son Jesus Christ," and the verse continues, "And love one another, as he gave us commandment." Who is He? It is Jesus Christ. The Father is telling us that we must believe on the name of His Son and love one another as His Son gave us the commandment.

Why the distinction between the commandment of the Father and the commandment of the Son when they are both Persons of the Trinity? This distinction is very significant, whereas our text tells us that it is the Father's command that we should believe on the name of His Son, Jesus Christ. Why? Our very salvation depends upon obedience to that command! Now it is obvious that it is urgent to understand its meaning. So what does that command in our text to "...believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ," mean?

As we search for the meaning, we need to take some of these very common words into the original language to turn on some light. The word believe as it is used in our text, comes from the root word pistis in the Greek which means "persuasion, i.e., credence; conviction (of religious truth, or truthfulness of God.)"

In this command, we are commanded to believe from a conviction of our hearts that what Christ has spoken, is true. This is also essential to "reliance upon Christ for salvation," a further part of the meaning of the word pistis. How can you and I have faith or our reliance upon Christ for salvation if we do not perfectly believe that what He says is true?

This word pistis in the Greek is also translated "believe" in MAR 15:32. There it is also used to mean "persuasion, i.e., credence; conviction (of religious truth, or truthfulness of God)" where we read, "Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him."

Do you see where unbelief sets in? They would not believe the truth that Christ was the King of Israel unless He would come down from the cross. They did not believe the truth of the name of the Son of God. His name was Jesus, so they did not believe that He was Christ the King of Israel or the Son of God!

The commandment of the Father is to believe that in fact He is the Christ, the King of Israel, and that He is the Son of God; we must have a persuasion of the credibility and a conviction of the truthfulness that He is who He said He is.

This same meaning of the word pistis comes through in MAR 11:30- 31, "The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? Answer me. And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say, Why then did ye not believe him?" Again, it is a matter of credibility and persuasion and conviction of the truthfulness of God.

See the harmony of this teaching with HEB 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is [Where is the commandment of the Father?], and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." That is faith; see the word believe in its context. Those who mocked Jesus and wanted proof of His Sonship and did not have faith to believe the truthfulness of who He was nor did they believe John the Baptist.

See the unbelief in the words, "that we may see, and believe." Did they believe when Jesus came out of the grave? No! MAT 28:11-13 says, "Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept."

To understand this command of our Heavenly Father rightly to "...believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ," we must also take a look at the full meaning of the phrase, on the name of as it is used in our text. It is taken from the word onoma in the Greek that means, "authority," i.e., a NAME with authority! To illustrate this, see the authority connected with the king's name in EST 8:8. "Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king's name, and seal it with the king's ring: for the writing which is written in the king's name, and sealed with the king's ring, may no man reverse."

Now let's go back to MAR 15:32 to see the connection between the name and the authority of the King of kings, "Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe." They did not say, "Let Jesus, the son of Joseph," come down from the cross, but "...Christ the King of Israel" come down.

Now we begin to see a harmony between what God the Father commands you and me and the authority there is in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ. Oh, beloved, we must stand in awe and holy reverence at God, the Father's command in our text, "And this is his commandment, That we should believe [`the truthfulness of God, as He places such authority] on the name of his Son Jesus Christ..." that is the message of this portion of our text.

Where did Jesus get this name with such authority? When we start to understand that His name was given to Him for His perfect obedience, then we begin to see where salvation really lies.

In PHI 2:8-11 we read, "And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore [in exchange for, or as a reward for such obedience] God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Do you see the authority that is being placed upon that NAME of `His Son, Jesus Christ?' Do you see the significance of His name? It is above every name. Consider the authority placed in that NAME; it was that Name which was given such authority and exalted "above every name." At the name of Jesus the angels of heaven fall prostrate on their face before Him.

The Father's command is that we must believe the authority He has placed upon that NAME! We must see the credibility of this Name, and the truthfulness of God that the name of Jesus has been exalted above every name. We must believe that and be convinced with all our hearts, falling prostrate in awe at His name. His name means authority.

Let's go now to PSA 112:1, "Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments." Therein lies Godly fear — a great blessing when we understand true godly fear. This Godly fear is holy reverence for that authority that causes us to delight greatly in His commandments. It is also the greatest assurance of our salvation when we have that true Godly fear in our heart.

The Father's command in our text "That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ..." is a command to stand in holy awe and reverence at that authority which He has given His Son; that is believing on the name of His Son.

As our blessed Saviour prepared His disciples for His departure from this earth, He admonished them to reverence that authority, and to teach obedience to His commandments of love. How do we show reverence to His authority? We delight in obeying His commandments and doing His will.

MAT 28:18-20 says, "And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power [In the original the word power means authority.] is given unto me in heaven and in earth. [Now He gives us His commandment.] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

We are to reverence the authority, which has been placed upon Jesus Christ. He tells us all authority has been given to Him, therefore, we are to reverence such authority which the Father has put upon His name as the reward for His obedience unto death, even the death of the cross. This brings us to the significance of our second point. What did He command?

FOR OUR SECOND POINT, let's consider what Jesus commanded His dear children; our text says, "...love one another, as he gave us commandment." Do you realize the importance of that command from the Lord Jesus Christ? Do you understand the authority with which He spoke?

It is so important for us to realize that the observance of the second table of the law of love is the highest evidence of our observance of the first table of the law. The first table of the law is to love God with our hearts, souls, and minds. Can we say we love God with our hearts, souls, and minds and disobey the very first and highest commandment that He has given to us? That commandment is to love our neighbour as ourselves.

Do you see the importance of that command? It is the golden thread that is woven through the entire gospel message. Why? Loving our brother as ourselves accomplishes several things; not only does it remove strife from the church, but also it is the process of picking up the cross and following Christ.

When a person loves his neighbour as himself, the very first thing that happens is, self is crucified. "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me," LUK 9:23. That means that self is crucified, and we prefer others ahead of ourselves. Every right that we have is put in the hands of the Lord; we are able to forfeit every one. We don't need to stand up to defend our rights for we have crucified self because we prefer our brother ahead of ourselves. That is the gospel.

The law of love begins with loving God above all; if we disobey His highest command to love our brother, we cannot say we love God.

ROM 13:8-10 says, "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."

The law is the law of love, and loving one another requires us to fulfill both tables of the law. 1JO 3:16 says, "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." Every violation of the last six commandments is the sin against the second table of the law.

Our reverence for the authority of the Son of God who commands us to love one another is required to fulfill the first table of the law. The very first commandment given by our Saviour tells us to love our neighbour as ourselves as our evidence that we love Him.

Our blessed Saviour taught the need of brotherly love for spiritual prosperity in JOH 15:10-12. This is the central pivot point of all the law. As we read this Scripture, keep in mind our text: "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he [the Lord Jesus Christ] gave us commandment," 1JO 3:23. That is the commandment of the Father.

Now we read in JOH 15:10-12, "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."

The Lord Jesus Christ tells us He has given Himself, crucified everything of Himself in perfect obedience to His Father's command, to abide in His Father's love; therefore, we abide in His love by crucifying self and doing everything to serve our neighbour. How has He loved us? He shed His life's blood to cover our sins!

Do you love your brother as He loved you? Are you able to cover your neighbour's sins with your life's blood? Or is it your greatest joy to blare them like a trumpet to all around? Do you love your brother as Christ loved you?

This gets so very close to home, and we see how we fall short; even though we might have meant well or were blinded by the pain of a brother's action, we did not cover the sins of one who has offended us. This commandment of "His Son Jesus Christ" calls for the crucifying of the old man of sin and self.

JOH 15:12 says, "This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you." This takes a crucifying process: this is the commandment of the Father in our text. Do you really believe what He said? Do you believe in His authority? Then obey and do what He says.

As we see our text in its context, we see that our success in our prayer life depends upon observance of this command.

See this in 1JO 3:21-22, "Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him [Why?], because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. [Why should the King of kings grant what we desire, if we do not regard what He commands us to do?] And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment."

Now let's use a little logic. Why should the King of kings grant the things we ask Him to do if we defy what He tells us to do? Why should He hear our prayers if we are not keeping His commandments of love?

The Lord says in ZEC 7:13, "Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts." Why should we have prosperity in our prayer life with any Spirit in it and the answering of prayers if we do not keep His command of love?

If we keep His commandments of love, the Lord says in ISA 58:9, "Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity."

Do you know what it is to have prayer answered while you are yet speaking? I am not a stranger to that, but it doesn't happen while you are living with bitterness in your heart against your brother. If you do not obey what He has commanded you to do, why should He bother to give you what you ask Him to grant? V:22 says, "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."

Stop! Consider this carefully: what can be more pleasing in His sight than to love our fellow man because he is one for whom Christ died? How can we say we see His love wherein He covered their sins with His blood if we try to undo that by uncovering them again? That puts His blood on our hands!

This places our text, the very next verse, in its context; we see that our prayer life is the very basis for keeping His commandments. Our text, 1JO 3:23, says, "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment." That is the commandment we must keep if we want a successful prayer life.

No man can claim to "...believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ," without observing His commandment, "...That ye love one another, as I have loved you," JOH 15:12. This identical language is in the chapter of our text.

Let's go back to 1JO 3:14-18 to keep our text in context. "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death." Read that again. Is there any plainer language in the Scriptures that is the basis of our assurance of salvation?

There is no middle ground. Now you can see why I have said many times that we can talk of rich experiences, but those experiences are not an assurance of salvation.

See the rich experiences the children of Israel had which are recorded in 1CO 10:2-5. "And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink [these are rich experiences]: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. [They rebelled against God's authority] But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness."

According to my Bible, it is mockery to harbor a heart full of bitterness against a brother while claiming to have some type of assurance of salvation. "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." In a moment we will get into what it means to love the brethren because "He that loveth not his brother abideth in death."

Verse: 15 continues, "Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him." See how profoundly Scriptures teach that what constitutes our assurance of salvation is contingent upon obedience to the command of the Father: "...believe on the name of [to stand in awe of the authority of] his Son Jesus Christ," to command us to "...love one another, as he gave us commandment," 1JO 3:23.

Now let's go back to V:10, "In this the children of God are manifest [made clear and bright as the sun at noon day], and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother." That does not leave any room for, "Yes, but..." or any type of gainsaying. How can any person claim salvation with bitterness in his heart against his brother?

Verses 16-18 say, "Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."

Now the Apostle John places us before the court of our conscience to judge our own actions to our brother. 1JO 3:19-22 says, "And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things."

We need to learn something from this. The Apostle John is placing us in the judgment seat in the court of conscience to judge our own actions to our brother. Is our heart condemning us?

This is personal; if I would not want judgment rendered to me as I am rendering to my brother, my heart should condemn me. The apostle is telling you and I to bring ourselves into the court of our own conscience and do unto others, as we would have them do to us.

If our conduct toward others is not exactly what we would want them to do to us, our heart should condemn us. If we say what we would not want them to say about us; if it is not exactly what attitude we would want them to have toward us; if that is not exactly how we would want to be judged by our brothers; then our hearts should condemn us in the court of our own conscience.

"Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight."

If we can stand before the court of our own conscience and say, "Yes, that is what I would want him to think, say about me, or do to me," without my heart condemning me on this, I have peace. I can ask and I will receive because I have kept His commandments and do those things which please Him.

In that day of the last judgment we are going to be placed as our own judge in the court of our own conscience. Have you ever thought about that? That is exactly where the Lord will bring judgment on the Judgment Day. Our own conscience will testify against us for those hard thoughts against our brother. "For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again," MAT 7:2. Those are the words of the King of kings, sealed with the King's authority in the name of Jesus Christ.

Do you see why this commandment is so important? Do you see the authority in this commandment, the authority of His name? Jesus has commanded us to love one another as He has loved us.

In the last judgment the Lord will bring you before the court of your own conscience to judge your actions under the law of love. MAT 7:12 says, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."

When the Lord comes to judge, He will judge according to our judgments; it will be on the basis of what we did to others. Is that what we want to have done to us? This makes life an awesome thing, doesn't it? As we look back on our lives, we think of some of the things we've done, thought, and said, and it brings us to the point where we must come to ask forgiveness.

Now let's read JER 3:1, "They say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? Shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD."

How shall we return to the Lord? Verses 13-14 say, "Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God...Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you." The invitation to return is so blessed when we see how far short we come of obeying His commandment of love.

We have broken His law of love, and He compares this with the sin of an unfaithful woman. Yet see the blessed, forgiving Spirit of our Saviour! "Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you:"

Sometimes the white linen of our wedding garments becomes so spotted. How could He ever accept us back as His bride? The Lord lay that upon my heart one time when I had backsliden and my heart was so crushed. How can He say so graciously that He is married to us? The Lord tells us, "Only acknowledge thine iniquity."

See how the Apostle John was "...Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you," MAT 28:20, in 1JO 2:7-11 "Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes."

The apostle says, "I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning." We also see this in ISA 58:1, "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins."

What were the sins that the Lord was speaking of but violations of the law of love? Read the rest of that chapter; the sins were sins against the second table of the law.

Look at ISA 58:5-8, "Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD? [Now notice what is an acceptable day unto the Lord.] Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward."

It is not a new commandment. The commandment of love is the Old Testament gospel as well as the gospel of the New Testament.

Now see the blessed harmony between the fruits of this law of love and the context of our text. "Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. [Now see the if.] If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity," ISA 58:9.

If we observe the law of love to our neighbours, then the Lord will answer when we call.

Let's look at our text in context by also examining the verses before and after. "And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit [the mental disposition, or the Spirit of Christ] which he hath given us," 1JO 3:22-24.

We receive when we ask because we obey His commandments and believe on the name of His Son, Jesus Christ. We believe in His authority; it convicts us, we tremble with holy reverent awe at His commandment of love. Then He will answer when we call; we have these blessings when we have the mental disposition or mind of Christ.

See what Jesus said in JOH 15:7, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." Do you see the connection between observing His words and success in prayer?

There is no greater evidence of God's grace in our hearts than a holy awe or reverence for the will and authority of the Father. It is He who said in our text, "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of [or the authority of] his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment."

We are to bow under the authority of the name of Jesus because there is an authority in that name that there is in no other name; a NAME was given to Him by God, the Father.

If you were summoned before the court, and heard the judge pronounce an order that you had to do this or that, you would immediately have some reverent respect for that person's authority. Is there any authority on earth which can even slightly compare to the authority of the King of kings?

This is the Godly fear of which the Psalmist spoke in PSA 112:1, "Praise ye the LORD. Blessed is the man that feareth the LORD, that delighteth greatly in his commandments." That word feareth means to stand in holy awe and reverence of His authority and will; this is evidence of our salvation.

This same godly fear of which the psalmist spoke in PSA 112:1 is found in the trial of Abraham. He had to put Isaac on the altar. An angel called out from heaven, "And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me," GEN 22:12.

What does "thou fearest God" mean? It means that God now knows Abraham had such a holy, reverent respect for God's commandments that he obeyed regardless of the cost. What is a more positive evidence of our salvation than if our heart is filled with a holy reverence for the authority of His Son, Jesus Christ?

Now ponder a little of what "His Son Jesus Christ" commands us under that blessed law of love in MAT 5:38-39. "Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also."

Jesus is referring to the hypocritical commandments of the Pharisees and scribes. They taught revenge, and it is the same spirit of that people today.

Their teaching was a pharisaical interpretation of the Old Testament law; two infringements are contained herein. They have overlooked the origin of "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth." That law pertained to judicial proceedings; a judge must give a sentence and pass judgment exactly equal to the crime. It was in no way meant to take the law into one's own hands and seek revenge.

Also, no Scripture is to be of human interpretation; "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation," 2PE 1:20.

See what "His Son Jesus Christ" commands us under that blessed law of love in MAT 5:43-44, "Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them [speak well of them] that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."

Again the Pharisees and scribes perverted the teachings of Scripture; they preached love your neighbour, but they added, hate your enemies. They twisted the law to allow them to decide who was a neighbour or brother, but Jesus said, "Love your enemies, bless them [speak well of them] that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."

1CO 13:1 says, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal." Charity is to speak well of others, to see them in the best possible light; even they may be slandering our name. We commit judgment to One who judges righteously. We may not pass judgment even on those who persecute us; we do not retaliate. We pray for them and love our enemies, blessing and speaking well of them.

Why? That is taking up our cross and following Jesus in the way of the cross. That is crucifying everything of self.

Now see the blessed reward "His Son Jesus Christ" has for those who "observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you," MAT 28:20.

We find it in LUK 6:46-49, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock [That means the person that will hear His sayings and do them will dig deep into the Word to know His sayings.]: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great."

The Rock is the Word of God; in REV 19:13 we are told "his name is called The Word of God." Christ is the Rock, but we must dig deep into the Word to lay our foundation upon His Word. Do you see the importance of observing His commandments? This is not teaching a gospel of merit; this is telling us what the evidence of salvation is.

Christ merited salvation with His blood and His perfect obedience, but He came to redeem us from iniquity. "And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins," MAT 1:21.

I have not found any place in Scripture where it is even hinted that He will save us in our sins. He came to redeem His people from iniquity, to save them from sin. TIT 2:14 says, "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

ACT 16:31 says, "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." What does it mean to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ? To believe on the name of His Son means to stand in holy awe and reverence of the authority of His command.

Our text says, "And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment," 1JO 3:23. This is the commandment of the Father that we should believe on the authority of His Son, Jesus Christ, and that we should love one another as Jesus Christ has given us His commandment.

Amen.