Last 5 Days
The Benchmark of Love
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
In the first section of this chapter, John exhorts us to test the spirits. Here he shifted his attention to the penultimate topic of Love. They are to love one another. He gave reasons as to why believers should love one another: (1) Love in itself is from God, (2) Anyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. (3) Anyone who does not love does not know God.
These words remind me of Jesus’ command when He was having His last supper with His disciples when He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John’s letter mentions the supreme commandment – Love in a number of places (e.g., verses 20-21). This indicates Jesus’ discipleship training has been effective indeed.
The direction of love is first from God to us, then we learn and know how to love Him in return, and love one another. And this love is always linked to God sending His Son to be the propitiation for our sins (John 3:16).
John further endeavour to plea with us, that if God so loved us, we also should love one another. This seems to be obvious. However, given our sinful, human nature, many times we are unable to love our brother or sister whom we can see.
But this is exactly how love is manifested – through our loving one another, we “see” God’s abiding presence in our midst, and He goes about perfecting this love that we give to one another.
Love is not just a feeling to be had. It is not just a word to be spoken. Like how God had expressed His love to us through His loving action, we could also show love to one another in many different ways, such as a telephone call away, an offer to give a ride, bringing something that a brother or sister needs to their house. Showing concern and praying for the brother or sister.
When the church becomes a loving community, then others will know that we are truly His disciples, as Christ has said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
Dear loving Heavenly Father, you are the embodiment of what love truly is. Thank you that through Your Son Jesus Christ, we know You love us. Help us also learn to express this kind of love to our fellow brothers and sisters, and also to those around us. In Christ’s name. Amen!
