Definition: My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this beautiful verse from 1 John 3:18. It’s a really important message about how we should really love God and each other. Here’s what it means, explained simply: The Basic Idea: This verse is telling us to love God and others with action and truth , not just words. It's saying that true love isn’t just about saying the right things; it's about doing good and being honest in our relationships. Let's break it down word by word: “My little children…” : This refers to believers – those who have a relationship with God. It uses a familiar term for children, suggesting tenderness and care. “…let us not love in word…” : This means don’t just talk about loving God or others; actually show it through your words. It's about genuine affection, not just empty declarations. “…neither in tongue…” : This is a bit more challenging. It suggests that love isn't limited to spoken language. It can be shown through actions – kindness, compassion, forgiveness - even without saying anything specific. "...but in deed and in truth.” : This is the crucial part! It means do what you say you will do. It’s about living your love with honesty and doing good deeds. “Truth” refers to being truthful, honest, and genuine. In essence, the verse is saying: Genuine love isn't just about talking about it; it's about being loving through your actions and being completely honest in how you treat others. Why is this important? This verse encourages us to be authentic in our relationships with God and with each other. It’s a call to live a life that reflects the love of Christ. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of 1 John 3:18? Give you some examples of how to show love through action?

Definition: He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this really important verse from John 3:18. It’s a complex idea, so we’ll go through it piece by piece. Here’s what it means, explained simply: “He that believeth on him” : This just means someone believes in Jesus Christ. It's the core of Christianity – believing in who Jesus is – not just that he existed. “Is not condemned” : This is a big one! It’s saying that those who believe in Jesus don’t automatically get into trouble. They aren't facing punishment or being banished from God. “But he that believeth not is already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” : This is where it gets a bit more profound and uses a little bit of symbolic language. Let’s unpack this: “the only begotten Son of God” : Jesus Christ was born of the Holy Spirit, and he is considered by Christians to be God's son – a special relationship with God. He is unique because he came into existence only with God. So, the whole verse basically says: “Anyone who believes in Jesus Christ doesn’t automatically get into trouble or banished from God. They are already condemned because they haven’t accepted the truth of his special relationship with God.” What does this mean practically? It's a message about forgiveness and salvation. Believing in Jesus is like receiving a gift – it opens the door to being forgiven for our sins and welcomed into God’s loving embrace. Important Note: This verse has been interpreted in different ways throughout history, but it's generally understood as a fundamental statement of God's love and grace for humanity. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Discuss the significance of this verse within the context of Christian theology? Give you some related verses from other parts of Scripture?