Knowing

"We know that we have passed out of death into life," 1 John 3:14.

We know? How in the world to know this? Maybe, took a test and passed it? (Got a D-, but, hey, it's a passing grade!) Maybe, have a really good feeling about it? (Like when just before sliding into the ditch.) Maybe, just got good genes? (Just like the old horse-thieving uncle.) So how to know? Here's how: Love the brothers and sisters. That's what it says. It says, ya don't love, ya don't live. Yeah, hate that special brother or sister and we're a murderer. No life here. Other ways of knowing: confess Jesus as Lord; do good. But we don't get to pick and choose. They're all part of the knowing package. But here, mainly, love that brother or sister - Jesus gave his life for them. He asked nobody's opinions.

Affirming the knowledge of God's lively work in us, we seek out a brother or sister today. Together we live; we give thanks to our common Father, God, through our common elder brother, Jesus. He loved us to life.