Bible Reading: 1 John 4:1-8 KJV
- 1 John 4:7 KJV
In a world filled with division, hatred, and strife, the command to love one another stands as a beacon of hope. The Apostle John, in his first epistle, boldly proclaims, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God" (1 John 4:7). This divine call to love transcends all boundaries, extending beyond the confines of race, culture, and social status. It is hard to love everyone. Sometimes it is very hard to love those that, well, we should love, such as family. So, it is often really hard to love those we do not have an attachment to.
So, who has Jesus called us to love? First and foremost he has called us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. We are also called to love our neighbors as ourselves. Our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our spouses. Our children. And, even our enemies.
So, who has Jesus called us to love? First and foremost he has called us to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. We are also called to love our neighbors as ourselves. Our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our spouses. Our children. And, even our enemies.
God gives us the correct perspective in Psalm 24:1-2, "The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods." He is the creator, so He owns creation. Yet each of us have said in our hearts, "No. My rights. My house. My stuff. My life."
Consider Stephen, who was stoned to death by the members of the Sanhedrin for acting and speaking like Jesus. Like his master, Stephen chose to pray for his enemies that were stoning him, "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55-56). Stephen's account demonstrates the veracity of Jesus' words in John 12:26, "If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour."
As we strive to love others as Christ has loved us, let us be reminded of the transformative power of love. It has the ability to bridge divides, heal wounds, and bring hope to the desolate. In a world that often seems consumed by darkness, the light of love shines brightly, pointing us to the source of all love - Jesus Christ. May we embrace the call to love, extending it to all those whom God has placed in our lives. As we do so, we will find ourselves reflecting the very heart of God, bringing glory to His name and spreading His love to a world in desperate need of hope.
Sources:
- Portions of the above is from Phil Baker's excellent book New Wineskins and the Simple Words of Christ
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