We see the love of God in this, that he laid down his
life for us.
A new commandment I give you--that you love one another as I have loved you. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.
You know
the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your
sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich. — Beloved, if
God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. — Be kind one to
another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake
has forgiven you. — Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a quarrel against another: just as Christ forgave you, do the same. —
For even the Son of man came not to receive ministry, but to minister, and to
give his life a ransom for many. — Christ also ... suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that you should follow in his steps.
One of the greatest revelations in all the world about God and His Son is that He loves us. There is no love like the love of God. It reaches to the ends of the earth; it reaches to the depths of the ocean--even of the grave; it reaches to the heights of heaven, and it is greater than all the rage of men and devils combined. There truly is NOTHING like the love of God.
On the other hand, the love of Christians for each other is often mixed with pettiness, jealousy, anger, resentment, greed--and all the other "works of the flesh." As James says, "these things ought not so to be."
So. I have a recommendation. Remember Jesus' words: "Love one another as I have loved you." And John's parallel words: The one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen...Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." As so often with other things, it is the man or woman who DOES, not the one who SAYS, that is doing God's will in this. Saying love and showing love may be two very different things. Show your love, then say it. The "collateral result" will be: By this shall everyone know that you are My disciples--if you love one another. So if you want to testify of your faith, start here.
One of the greatest revelations in all the world about God and His Son is that He loves us. There is no love like the love of God. It reaches to the ends of the earth; it reaches to the depths of the ocean--even of the grave; it reaches to the heights of heaven, and it is greater than all the rage of men and devils combined. There truly is NOTHING like the love of God.
On the other hand, the love of Christians for each other is often mixed with pettiness, jealousy, anger, resentment, greed--and all the other "works of the flesh." As James says, "these things ought not so to be."
So. I have a recommendation. Remember Jesus' words: "Love one another as I have loved you." And John's parallel words: The one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen...Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." As so often with other things, it is the man or woman who DOES, not the one who SAYS, that is doing God's will in this. Saying love and showing love may be two very different things. Show your love, then say it. The "collateral result" will be: By this shall everyone know that you are My disciples--if you love one another. So if you want to testify of your faith, start here.
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