Monday January 16, 2017

 

I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another.                                                                                                       

– 2 John 1:5 NLT

 

There is no point in telling me that you love me, whether you swear it on a Bible, say the nicest things about me, even if you buy me gifts, if you are going to mistreat or hurt one of my children. Truthfully, there is no way for you to make up for such behavior. The opposite is also true; the most pleasing thing you can do for me is to love and respect my children.

 

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

– Jesus (John 15:12 NIV)

 

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

– Galatians 5:6 NIV

 

The entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

– Galatians 5:14 NIV

 

Throughout the New Testament, a person’s love for God was not demonstrated through church attendance, hard work, perseverance, or position, not even through their willingness to endure hardships. A person’s love for God was demonstrated through their willingness to love others.

 

Before you discard this as a weakened or diluted version of what Christianity is, remember that when God decided to love us, it cost him His son. Remember, that when Jesus decided to love us, it cost him His life. Therefore, this is not a simplistic view of what it is to be a Christian but rather the fulfillment of what a follower of Jesus should be. This is why we should never forget that we ought to love one another the way Jesus loved us.

 

Imagine the difference we could make in the world, if those of us who call ourselves followers of Jesus, would love others the way He loves us. Imagine loving your spouse, parents, children, siblings, friends, and enemies not as they deserve to be loved, but instead, loving them as Jesus loves us. There really is no point in telling God that we love Him, if we do not love one another.

 

‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.

– Matthew 25:40 NIV