1 John 3:11-24

There is a tremendous truth in Scripture that you have to see to believe – and you have to live it to really understand it.  This truth is the “inflow-overflow” principle.  Bill Allison from Cadre Ministries recently taught it to a group of us youth pastors and it was very helpful.  The idea is that as we spend time in relationship with God and soak in who He is (inflow) that we can’t help but give out of Him from the tremendous love He has (overflow).  We act like Christians, honestly, not because of obligation or rules but because we were first loved.  Do you see this principle being acted and lived out in this passage by John?  I think we all miss this – and it is a shame!  We must not merely do things for the sake of doing them, but we must spend time with our loving Heavenly Father and as we get to know Him, we just are what we are to be.  Many of us don’t like prayer for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it feels like an obligation – but it is meant to be from the overflow of what God is already doing in us.  We are not strong people – we are not meant to be strong emotionally, physically, mentally or spiritually – at least not how our society sees it!  So many shows, books, counselors, etc. today will talk about personal strength and empowerment.  This is simply not true.  We are not meant to be strong in ourselves.  The Bible is full of people who mess up because they are strong in themselves.  The ones who succeed in the Bible – the ones who are the “heroes of the faith” die to themselves and let God have control.  It is in this surrender that strength is found.  It is in this surrender that we are filled (inflow) and have the strength to overcome all this life has to throw at us (overflow).