As I studied the subject of love, I noticed in several scripture verses a strong connection between love and keeping the commandments. “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For THIS IS THE LOVE OF GOD, that we keep his commandments” (1 John 5:2; KJV). It’s interesting that the first commandment is to LOVE God and the second commandment is to LOVE others. In the disciple Mark’s gospel, we read that “there is none other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:31).

However, in the apostle John in his gospel quotes Jesus as saying: “a new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another” (John 13:34.  If you are wondering, like I was, why it is new, the answer is found in the second half of that verse; we are to love others with the same love that Jesus loved us. In the Old Testament they did not have the practical example of the earthly life of Jesus to follow, but we do. It gives us a whole new kind of love. The word used here for love is agape, God’s unconditional love for us and the love we are to use for others.

“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21). Wow, what promises!

Please pass this on. All rights reserved.

Check out our web site ( www.onthewayinlove.com ) for information on our book: “On the Way: Basic Christian Training”, including how to purchase it and also to see more encouraging Bible based blogs. Please recommend our book to others.