I was studying the first epistle of John recently and noticed again the apostle’s emphasis on love. God is love (1 John 4:8, 16) and: “we love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19; NKJV). He loved us so much that He sent His Son Jesus to die on a cross for us (1 John 3:16) and He calls us His Children (1 John 3:1). His love is perfected in us (1 John 2:5; 4:12, 17) as we walk in His Word (1 John 2:5) and love and obey God. The love of God is to keep His commandments (1 John 5:2). We and people watching us can be confident that we are Christians when we express love for each other (1 John 2:7; 3:14). We are called to love our brothers and sisters in Christ (1 John 4:20-21; 5:1) and John adds that if we do not do this, we cannot claim to love God (1 John 4:20). The apostle clearly states that if we do not love our brothers and sisters, we are still dead in our sins (1 John 3:14) and we are not of God (1 John 3:10; 4:7). If we truly have an intimate, ongoing relationship with God, His love should shine from us (1 John 4:16), and we will walk in love as Jesus did (1 John 2:6).

The apostle John repeatedly urges us to: “love one another”, in this epistle (1 John 3:11, 23; 4:7). In fact, he wrote that, we should be willing to lay down our lives for each other (1 John 3:16). Love for others is more than words but has to be expressed in deeds and in true sincerity (1 John 3:18). With all the worldly resources that we have at our disposal if we fail to help our brothers and sisters materially how can we claim that the love of God is in us? (1 John 3:17).

The apostle John is so clear on God’s love for us and the Lord’s command that we allow that love to flow to others. Let us love as God loves us (1 John 4:19)! Do I hear an Amen?