“A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 NIV
Our Lord, Christ Jesus, tells us that we can only be known as a follower of his, by loving one another. He doesn’t say we should, he says we “must.”
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 NIV
There must be a reason this is the most quoted verse in the Bible. As the word is alive, God breathed, and Spirit filled, I don’t imagine its popularity is anything but God lead. The Bible’s main theme is love; some call it a “love letter” as the Bible’s main message is that God loves us. So I contend that it is all about love! So do not be swayed by those who say, it is not. There is no shortage of examples in the scriptures.
God wants us not only to love him above all else, but insists by example, that we love one another. What is love? Let us avoid complicating it.
John says: “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” 1 John 4:8 NIV
In what is considered by many to be the actual Lord’s Prayer, Jesus says this:
“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” John 17:25-26
Jesus, in this prayer for us, as believers, prays that God’s love will be in us, and that he, himself, will be in us. These are his final words, in his last recorded prayer, before going to the garden of Gethsemane and he takes the time to pray for the Father’s love to be in us, and that he may be in us! His spirit draws us to see him in all of those around us, as we want others to see him in ourselves.
Love? Is it not all about love?
When asked, “Teacher which is the greatest commandment” Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: love your neighbor as yourself” Matthew 22:37-39 NIV
It is easy to see the common theme. Our love for him, and our love for others, protects our hearts. This is what he desires: our hearts, and that nothing in our lives harden our hearts toward him.
The words below ring true, and if focused on daily, will make all the difference.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV
It is written: “God is love,” and “Love never fails.”
Therefore, God never fails!
Merry Christmas!
Barnabas
Special thanks for this submission by guest blogger – Barnabas