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Love One Another

"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3:18

As I have been reading the gospel of John and now John's letters, I see a continuous theme of love. I read the above verse today and it really spoke to me. Of course, it's easy to reckon that God wants us to show love through our actions. James says that faith without works is dead. In the same way, love without works isn't real love. Jesus continually spoke of love saying things like "if you love me you will keep my commandments" and "love your neighbor as yourself."

John echoes Christ's words on love throughout his writing. As I study Scripture, I continue to see God explaining the proper expressions of love whether it be in regards to marriage, friendship, family, or authority. True love expresses itself through actions. Jesus called us His friends and then became sin so that we might become the righteousness of God. That is the greatest expression of love that we can ever know! Praise God that we are able to know it!

As I consider this verse more and more, two thoughts come to mind. The first is that God loves me more than I could ever possibly know. As I continue to grasp more of the immensity of God's love for me, I become even more broken. The more Scripture I read, the more I see how amazingly righteous God is. Conversely, I see how sinful I am. There is only one way that this understanding does not immediately turn to despair: Jesus Christ. What a blessed life we live as Christians free to do the will of God!

The second thought that this verse stirs in me is just how important and effective true love can be. John 13:35 says "by this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another." As Christians, when we love each other, it becomes obvious that we are born of God. We become a great witness to the world. Think about it. How is God's love manifested today? Jesus is not walking the earth showering sinners with love. But we are! God's love is manifested through us and the Spirit uses us to draw people to the Lord. We can't convince anyone of the reality of Jesus, but that doesn't mean that God won't work through us to convince people.

There's really only one response as I consider this truth: awe. I am amazed at God's love for me and I desire to share that love with others.

By God's grace, I pray that it be so.

Comments

  1. EHMarch 17, 2009 at 8:02 AM

    " I will go I will go I will go Lord send me
    To the world, to the lost
    To the poor and hungry
    Take everything I am
    I’m clay within your hands
    I will, I will go send me
    d me to the lost "

    sung by starfield

    I agree with you Matt and I know that it is your heartbeat. Here we are Lord use us.

    ReplyDelete

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