Tag: Love As I Have Loved You

Be Slow To Anger…

James 1:19-20 (NIV)

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires….

Our Verse of the Day affords us some great wisdom when it comes to interpersonal communications. The Apostle James shares some rock-solid advice when it comes to improving how we interact with others.  Quick to listen … slow to speak … and slower still to ever become angry. As James pointed out – human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires for our lives.  

King Solomon shared similar wisdom for our edification:

Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. ~ Proverbs 10:19

Whoever belittles and derides their neighbor lacks wisdom, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue. ~ Proverbs 11:12

The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. ~ Proverbs 17:27-28

Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart[a] of fools. ~ Ecclesiastes 7:8-9

I suppose there might be times for “righteous” anger to manifest itself. Consider Jesus in the temple with the money-changers recounted in Matthew 21; Mark 11; and Luke 19. But I think we are best advised to turn the other cheek in most cases – especially if the situation is simply going to be a “war of words.” As Paul advised: “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Cf. Colossians 4:5-6) After all, we can always just agree to disagree…. Indeed, let us remember that the Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. (Cf. Exodus 34:6; Psalm 86:15; Psalm 103:8; Psalm 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2)

My friends, I believe we would be wise to follow the character and example of our Lord Jesus in our interactions with people.  Yes, let us be compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love and faithfulness. As Jesus commanded:  Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (Cf. John 13:34-35)

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin.” (Citing Psalm 4:4) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. ~ Ephesians 4:22-27

Freedom to Serve…

Galatians 5:13 (NIV)

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Our Verse of the Day continues to focus on our relationships with one another; and I want us to spend time on the command to love one another. Jesus said to love our neighbor is second only to the command to love God. (Cf. Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31) As we have seen in New Testament scriptures, to love one another fulfills the command to love God. I think the Apostle John captured this thought best when he affirmed: “If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. (Cf. 1 John 4:20-21)

Galatians 5:13-25 (NIV)

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature of our flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Citing Leviticus 19:18) If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So, I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

What Paul teaches here is that we cannot just do whatever we want based on the freedom we have received in Christ Jesus. We are called to be led by the Spirit and to live in accordance with His indwelling presence. Jesus, through the sacrificial atonement of His blood, saved us from the penalty of our sin; but we cannot continue to indulge the passions or desires of our flesh, or expect that such behavior or conduct will lead others to salvation. We must die to the power of sin in order to experience the freedom gain through Christ. Indeed, Paul had very pointed instruction in this regard:

Romans 6:1-14 (NIV)

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we will certainly also be united with Him in a resurrection like His. For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him. The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to Him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

My friends, we have been called to serve one another humbly in love. What does this entail? Perhaps, we should go back and look at the biblical definition of love the Apostle Paul provided in1 Corinthians 13:4-8.  It is my prayer that we will strive to keep these attributes of love at the forefront of our thoughts so that our actions will follow the excellence of love. We fail to love God in truth if we cannot serve one another humbly in love. So, let the freedom we have been given become the source we draw upon to love one another as Jesus loved us. Indeed, I pray we will keep these things in mind as we encounter and engage with those who are lost….

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the Gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. ~ 1 Corinthians: 9:19-23

When We Were Powerless…

Romans 5:6-8 (NIV)

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Our Verse of the Day has been cited and used in commentaries numerous times.  Still, this passage from Romans 5 is just as powerful today as it was when the Apostle Paul penned it for the Church!

As I read it again, Verse 6 has captured my attention: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” As King David observed: “The Lord looks down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. They have all turned aside. They have together become corrupt; there is none who does good … No, not one!” (Cf. Psalm 14:2-3; Psalm 53:2-3; Romans 3:11-12) Indeed, we are powerless. We are helpless and without hope.  But God….

Ephesians 2:1-10 (ESV)

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the sinful nature and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with Him and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Our power … our strength … our redemption and deliverance come only by the mercy of God! Yes, the riches of His mercy can be received only through His Son … Jesus! He died for the ungodly … He died for us! He alone atoned for our sin to present us righteous and holy before God. He secured our eternal redemption! (Cf. Hebrews 9:12) Hallelujah! Praise His Name!

A second thought came to mind: “What kind of love would compel Jesus to die for the ungodly?” As I thought about this a moment, I remembered what Jesus told His disciples: “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. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Cf. John 13:34-35) And it convicted me with the question: “Can I love others who are ungodly and sinners – just as Jesus loved and died for me?” Maybe it was this question that inspired Paul to write: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship … your true and proper worship.” (Cf. Romans 12:1)

Matthew 5:43-48 (NLT)

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For He gives His sunlight to both the evil and the good, and He sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Luke 6:27-36 (NLT)

“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you. “If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return. Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most-High, for He is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.

There is no ambiguity here.  Love is not earned.  Love is not based on merit. Love is. Love acts. It is the mind-set of God … for He is love. It is the state of being in which we are called to live as His children. This is the heart of God! This is the heart of Jesus! Jesus said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one that this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. And you are my friends if you do what I command. (Cf. John 15:12-14) I pray we will love like Jesus loved … willingly and sacrificially. Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so, we know and rely on the love God has for us. ~ 1 John 4:10-16

I Want To Know What Love Is

1 John 3:16 (NIV)

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

Our Verse of the Day captures a great truth that Jesus desires each of us to attain from our personal encounter with Him; namely, the truth of God’s unfathomable love for those He created in His image …  and all of His creation. Indeed, we find this truth repeated in the inspired writings of the New Testament authors. John wrote: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. (Cf. John 3:16) And Paul wrote: “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Cf. Romans 5:8)

What the Apostle John affirms here is that the sacrificial death of Jesus is how we KNOW what love is! Jesus Christ defines the love of God in terms that we have yet to fully comprehend. Yet, Jesus assures us that this truth can be known and understood by us. Consider the following text:

John 17:20-26 (NIV) ~ Excerpt from the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus

“My prayer is not for them (the apostles) alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”

My friends, we can know God and know His love because of Jesus Christ … His Son.  The veil covering the holy place in the temple was torn in two – opening our access and revealing our capacity to have fellowship with the God who created us in His image. Jesus attested that He was sent to reveal the Father and to make Him known. Because of Jesus, we can know God … His Being and His passionate love for us.  Paul understood this revelation; and his prayer for the Ephesian believers in Ephesians 3:14-21 encompassed a deep, heartfelt desire for them (and us) to KNOW “this love that surpasses knowledge.”

Indeed, God has spoken His love for us. God has revealed His love for us. God has shown and demonstrated His love for us. All the Father asks of us is to believe in His Son, Jesus, and to love one another as He has loved us! His will is not mysterious or unknown. His expectation of those created in His image is attainable. The reciprocation of His love can be achieved. The only question for us is whether we truly desire in our hearts to make it actual in our lives.  For love requires us to humble ourselves … to subdue own wills … to exalt God above all else. And Christ Jesus, who ascended into heaven to become our High Priest before the throne of God, has demonstrated what this submission entails.  Indeed, the Son, who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage;rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! (Cf. Philippians 2:6-8)

When we humble ourselves and exert our own wills to be obedient … to pick up our cross daily … to die to sin … to believe God at His Word … to see God through His Son; I am persuaded that we will intimately experience His love that surpasses knowledge and be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.  We will have the capacity to love others as we have been loved. Indeed, that is the purpose of God … to complete His love.  The Apostle John shared these insights with us:

1 John 4:7-17 (NIV)

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 

All of these scriptures reveal the meaning and purpose of our Lord Jesus Christ being sent by the Father to this earth. God sent His Son to fulfill all of these truths because of His great love for us! I pray we will continue to reflect on these things as we recount His crucifixion and celebrate His resurrection!

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then Jesus said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Then Jesus returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” He asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.” When Jesus came back, He again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So, He left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. ~ Matthew 26:36-44

Love In Action…

1 John 3:18 (NIV)

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

As we examine our Verse of the Day, we see that love must move from the abstract to reality … it must move from a thought to an action. The concept of love is a noun … but the demonstration of love is a verb. Love is something you DO! No matter how much we profess to love God or to love one another, the evidence of love is in the actions taken to demonstrate it.  God not only tells us that He loves us, but God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Cf. Romans 5:8). And here, John reminds us that actions speak louder than words. Even Jesus requires action on our part to show or demonstrate our love for Him: “If you love Me, keep my commandments.” (Cf. John 14:15 and 1 John 5:3) Indeed, love is a verb! Love is service oriented. Love is something we DO! 

As we have studied, the Apostle John exhorted in 1 John 3:16-18: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Thus, love must be genuine. It must be authentic. It cannot be mere lip service; rather, it must be tangible … intentional … and outcome oriented!

Paul, likewise asserted, “Love must be sincere.” (Cf. Romans 12:9) And Paul will go on to explain how sincere love will manifest itself in real action:

Romans 12:10-18 (NIV)

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people willing to do menial work. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

On a similar note, I am reminded that the Apostle James frankly addresses a similar point with regard to our faith.  Faith is not merely profession alone either.  No matter how much we “believe,” the evidence of faith is in the actions to demonstrate it as well.  Here, James distinguishes between faith as a concept and faith as a reality:

James 2:14-17 (NIV)

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

We also find the Apostle Peter addresses the same issues in his epistle:

1 Peter 3:8-14 (NIV)

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good;they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (Peter quotes Psalm 34:12-16) Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.

1 Peter 4:7-11 (NIV)

The end of all things is near. Therefore, be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

My point is that the apostles emphasized the importance of love in action … love that is operational and effectual. And I surmise it was because the apostles observed the greatest demonstration of love in action when they walked and talked with our Lord Jesus. They were eye witnesses of His compassion and came to understand the personal, sacrificial nature of love in its highest form. The personal example of Jesus speaks volumes with regard the application of love. To me, it is in this context that we must consider what Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (Cf. John 13:34-35)

So, I pray that as we begin our day … and each new day … that we will commit ourselves to love one another in action and in truth. I pray that we will be sincere and sacrificial. I pray that the love we have and share with others will be a true reflection of what lies within our hearts. My friends, let us not love with words only, but let our actions demonstrate love in truth.  Indeed, that is how love moves from a thought to an outcome! Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

We love because He first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. ~ 1 John 4:19-21

No Fear In Love…

1 John 4:18 (NIV)

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Our Verse of the Day presents a challenge to us in view of its surrounding context. I think we need to understand the meaning of the words translated “perfect” and “fear” within the context of the larger passage, so I’ll reprint it for us:

1 John 4:7-21 (NIV)

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete (perfect) in us.

This is how we know that we live in God and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because God first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And Jesus has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

The word “perfect” can be translated “complete” or “completed” – not perfection in the sense that we are without flaw. It connotes the idea of “bringing into fulfillment.” When love has been perfected or completed, it has come full circle and is finished.  Think about the words of our Lord Jesus upon the cross when He announced: “It is finished!” (Cf. John 19:30) His sacrificial death demonstrated the love (agape) that brought eternal life into fulfillment for us.

The word “fear” used in this verse should be translated in the same manner that we usually associate with this word. Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it to mean “painful agitation in the presence or anticipation of danger.” Fear can conjure feelings of dread, alarm, panic, terror, and trepidation – adding the idea of intense reluctance to face or meet a person or situation. Aversion and anxiety are present within this emotion.

And so, with these definitions in mind, I think we can readily begin to see the connections within this passage of Scripture. Remember, Jesus instructed: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (Cf. John 13:34) And we should not lose sight that this is a command … not a suggestion. John focuses on this command to remind believers of its imperative and significance. Why? Because we will all face the Day of Judgment! As it is written: “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.” (Cf. Hebrews 9:27) And, “We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” (Cf. 2 Corinthians 5:10) And, “But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” (Cf. Romans 14:10)

And so, the certitude of judgment for the life we have lived enters our thoughts; and perhaps, a sense of fear, dread, or trepidation accompanies it. I think these feelings are natural to us … but John shares how we can face the Day of Judgment without fear. Yes, he asserts we can face our judgment with confidence in this: Perfect (complete) love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and the one who faces their judgment with fear has not been made perfect (complete) in love. So, this raises the question: “How do we know if love is perfected or completed in us?” “How can we have confidence on the Day of Judgment?”

The answer lies in Verse 17!  What does it say?  “In this world we are like Jesus!”  Indeed, John affirms to us: “Whoever claims to live in Him must live as Jesus did.” (Cf. 1 John 2:6) Just as Jesus taught, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Cf. Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23) We cannot escape the point being made here. If we want to have confidence on the Day of Judgment, then we must live as Jesus lived … we must love as Jesus loved. This is the heart of our response to the gift of His grace – seen in the light of the Gospel!

Again, as we have studied, John emphasizes some key theological points for us: Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete (perfect) in us. How is it made complete? In this world we are like Jesus! And He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. And, “This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit! Yes, the Spirit guides us into the truth and empowers us to put it into practice. His love is what activates our faith! As Peter wrote: “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” (Cf. 2 Peter 1:3)

Confidence! That is what I pray would fill each of us on that Day! Not confidence in our abilities or self-perceived virtues, but confidence in His power to equip us with His Spirit to love one another in truth.  And if there is any fear or hesitation … any dread or trepidation within us now, we know how this fear can be allayed. The answer lies in Jesus – the author and perfecter of our faith! We look to Him and His merciful love. We look to His teachings and example. We abide in His unfailing grace and intercession. We repent of self-centeredness and humble ourselves. We deny ourselves and pick up our crosses to follow Him. In weakness, we share in the fellowship of His sufferings.  Indeed, Jesus calls us to return to our first love … to the One who loved us first. Oh, my friends, His love being completed in us and through us is HOW we are empowered to stand before Him with confidence on that Day! So, I thank John for the insight, wisdom, inspiration, and encouragement he imparts in this epistle to prompt us toward completion! Yes, may the fullness of love become the sole focus of our faith! Oh, Father, may we live as Jesus lived … and love as Jesus loved! Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. ~ James 2:12-17

Love Does No Harm…

Romans 13:9-10 (NIV)

The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law.

When we look at the commandment to love, we need look no further than the Ten Commandments themselves. The first four commandments address our love for God. The last six commandments address our love for others. Indeed, these commandments instill in us that our personal relationships are to be guided and governed according to the will of God! Father God has expressed His will in these commandments that were given through Moses and written on tablets of stone. Likewise, in the New Covenant given to us in Jesus, God has put them in our minds and written them on the tablets of our hearts. (Cf. Jeremiah 31:32-34)

I find it interesting that the Ten Commandments only address relationships … first and foremost our relationship with God; and secondly, our relationships with one another. I believe this stems from the truth that God is love; and love by nature and function is relational. Further, it appears that all other commandments, statutes, and ordinances we find in the Torah were written to provide more structured detail for the observance of these Ten Commandments.  So, in our Verse of the Day, Paul explains to us that love should supersede all other behaviors. Love will cause no harm to another person; therefore, love is the fulfillment of God’s covenant of love – engraved in these Ten Commandments.

Let’s look at the commandments as recorded in Exodus 20:1-17 in summary:

1.         You shall worship no other gods before God.

2.         You shall make no images or idols in place of God.

3.         You shall not misuse the name of God.

4.         You shall observe the Sabbath Day of God.

5.         Honor your father and mother.

6.         You must not murder.

7.         You must not commit adultery.

8.         You must not steal.

9.         You must not lie.

10.       You must not covet.

In addition, I think it is important for us to see how Jesus summarized and affirmed these commandments in His response to the Jewish authorities who had questioned Him on the matter:

Matthew 22:35-40 (NIV)

One of them, an expert in the law, tested Him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ (Citing Deuteronomy 6:5) This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Citing Leviticus 19:18)All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

The First Commandment is expressed through Commandments 1-4; while the Second Commandment is expressed through Commandments 5-10.  And ultimately, both the Apostle John and the Apostle Paul help us to understand that through obedience of the commandment “ to love your neighbor as yourself,” we necessarily fulfill both commandments! John asserted: “Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” (Cf. 1 John 4:19-21) Likewise, our Verse of the Day captures this same theology. For both have expressed what Jesus taught: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (Cf. John 15:12; 17) So we see that a singular command … to love one another … a central theme for our worship of God Himself.  Love is how we fulfill the supreme Law of God! Indeed, when we love others in truth … we love God in truth! Yes, love is HOW we worship the Father in the Spirit and in Truth!

Father God, we thank you that you continue to humble us and to teach us the ultimate expression of what it means to worship you … LOVE. Holy Spirit, we ask for you to examine our hearts … to know our hearts and to test them. Reveal the thoughts and the inclinations of our hearts. Lord Jesus, thank you for your blood … the blood of the new and everlasting covenant that cleanses us and secures us in the way of love … the way that leads us to everlasting life in You! Oh, I pray that we might remain in your love; for you said that if we keep your commands, we would remain in your love. And your command is that we love each other as you have loved us! Oh, Lord Jesus, let the joy of your love be within us! Let us complete your joy as we serve one another and fulfill your command. Yes, let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven! In the power of Your Great Name, I pray! Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly through love. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another. ~ Galatians 5:13-15

How Love is Made Complete…

1 John 4:11-12 (NIV)

Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.

We have included our Verse of the Day in previous commentaries over the past week or so as we have studied the love of God for us … and the command to love others to demonstrate our love for God. These concepts are imperative to our understanding of God, and they are foundational to the formation of our faith in Him. Though life is filled with questions and mystery, there is one thing that does not have to be questioned or remain unknown. We can always be assured of God’s love … because He has made it known to us! The Apostle John affords us great insight into what we need to understand in this regard:

1 John 4:7-21 (NIV)

Knowing God Through Love

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Seeing God Through Love

No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in Him and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so, we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 

Obeying God Through Love

This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But complete love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made complete in love. We love because He first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

It is clear to me that we cannot comprehend the love of God without understanding and embracing what Jesus accomplished through His death upon the cross. The love of God has been demonstrated … it is seen through the blood atonement offered and accepted through His Son, Christ Jesus. As Paul articulated: “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Cf. Romans 5:8) Until we see the depths of mercy His love poured out upon the cross, we will not see HOW to love one another as He has loved us. Yes, I love how Paul urges us to imitate and practice merciful love: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Cf. Romans 12:1) Indeed, we will become humbled, and love others in truth, when follow the example of Jesus.  I pray in our relationships with one another, we will have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. (Cf. Philippians 2:1-8) Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

When He had finished washing their feet, Jesus put on His clothes and returned to His place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” He asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. ~ John 13:12-17

Nothing Shall Separate Us…

Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I did not realize that our Verse of the Day would continue in Romans 8.  I included this passage in the commentary yesterday to share Paul’s personal conviction regarding his keen awareness and understanding of the love of God expressed to us in Christ Jesus!  Paul swells with emotion as he contemplates what possibilities might exist that could remove the love of God for His creation.  Paul concludes: “There is nothing in all creation!”  There is nothing with the power to dissolve or diminish the love of God for us. There is nothing you or I can do or not do that will change or annul the love of God for us. He is not subjected to our mortal ideas, thoughts, or personal wills. (Cf. Isaiah 55:6-11) His love IS eternally existent!

Let’s consider these thoughts for a moment.  The Bible is filled with physical metaphors to help us comprehend spiritual realities.  For example, Jesus is called the Word who was with God in the beginning. (Cf. John 1:1-3) Jesus is called the Lamb of God. (Cf. John 1:29; 1:36) He was the unblemished, spotless lamb God provided for Himself to be the final, ultimate sacrifice for the sins of all humans. Yet, we read this Lamb (Jesus) who removed the sins of the world was slain before the foundation of the world!  The names of all believers were written in the Lamb’s Book of Life before the earth was created. (Cf. Revelation 5:12; 13:8) So, if God loved us (and He did) before you and I were ever born … and died to impute His holiness and righteousness upon us (and He did) because we were condemned and without hope, then what can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord? Will our sin now separate us from His love? Was it not for your sin and mine that Jesus died in order to make atonement for us? (Cf. Romans 5:8) That is the love of God in action! That is the salvation of God in truth! You and I cannot save ourselves.  It was HIS GREAT LOVE that saved us. (Cf. Ephesians 2:1-10)

My conviction is that ALL of this was done on our behalf by God the Father. All of this was done because of His great love with which He loved us … even before we were born into this world and before we were born-again of the Spirit.  So, if we had no opportunity or ability to cause God to love us, what would make us think that we can separate ourselves from His love at all? But I think the more pressing question we should ask is: “Why would anyone reject this great love of God?” It seems God permits human beings to have the capacity (free will) to reject His love.  We find evidence of this rejection throughout the Old and New Testaments. For example, Israel forsook the love of God by “turning to other gods and worshipping them; rejecting God and breaking His covenant.” (Cf. Deuteronomy 31:15-22) God did not cease to love Israel or separate Himself from them. They refused His love for them! They broke His covenant of love with them. They rejected His call to repentance in order to obtain mercy.  And we still find this state of the human heart in our time … people who remain in darkness … who dismiss the Word of God … whose hearts are hardened and ungrateful for what God Himself has done for them.


“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.” (Cf. Deuteronomy 7:9) Yes, God is faithful to keep His covenant of love with those who love Him.  It is our response to the love of God that establishes this bond.  Paul is correct that nothing can separate us from the love God has poured out upon His creation. It is immutable! It is everlasting! It is unfailing! And it is always available! But for purposes known only to God, He permits us to reject Him and His love. He allows us to separate our hearts from Him … not the other way around.  And this brings me back to what the Apostle John wrote:

John 3:16-19 (NKJV)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

God has given us His love!  And this love is in His Son, Christ Jesus! Through Jesus … in Jesus … is the love of God the Father both revealed and manifested! Who among us can understand this kind of love? We cannot be separated from it … but we can reject it.  It is evident we have the free will to reject the testimony of God regarding His Son. We can refuse to believe in Him … we can live our lives with total disregard for the love God has bestowed on His creation.

In light of this good news … what are the implications for us?  Here are some things that come to mind:

Romans 6:1-7 (NIV)

What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we will certainly also be united with Him in a resurrection like His. For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body ruled by sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

1 John 3:4-9 (NIV)

Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. But you know that He appeared so that He might take away our sins. And in Him is no sin. No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him. Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous. The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God.

Father God, how incredible it is to know your love is inseparable … immutable … and everlasting in Christ Jesus.  How can we show our gratitude for your mercies?  How can we live lives worthy of what you have done for us?  I pray each one of us, who in view of your mercy, will offer ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to you Father as our true and spiritual worship.  I pray each of us will not be conformed to the deception of this fallen world, but will be transformed in our minds through your trustworthy Word.  Lord God, I pray everyone, everywhere will come to know your great love so that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith … so that all might have the power and ability to comprehend how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ – and to know this love that surpasses knowledge so that we might be filled with the measure of all your fullness! O Lord, forever remind us that your love never fails … that you will keep us in perfect peace whose minds are steadfast because we trust in you alone. Let our gratitude for your love toward us be shown through our love of one another.  Let us be ambassadors of reconciliation to those who do not know your great love.  And let us seek holiness in our lives … that we might see you and have confidence when we stand before you at your return!  Grant us all these things, Father, in the name of your Son, Jesus.  Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

This Is The Message…

1 John 3:11 (NIV)

For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

Our Verse of the Day continues to affirm the message for us to love one another. Indeed, this is the highest command of God: to love Him and to love one another. To love others is not optional! It is an intentional action that comes from hearts that have been changed by the love of God.

1 John 3:16-18 (NIV)

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Philippians 2:1-5 (NIV)

Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

If we truly believe God at His Word, then our faith will be seen through its response of love. Yes, “As I have loved you, so you MUST love one another. By this everyone will know that you ARE my disciples – if you love one another. (Cf. John 13:34-35) Jesus once asked His followers: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you?” (Cf. Luke 6:46) It is a penetrating question for us to answer as well; and yet, Jesus affords us some insight into what it means to be obedient to His Word:

Luke 6:47-49 (NRSV)

I will show you what someone is like who comes to me, hears my words, and acts on them. That one is like a man building a house, who dug deeply and laid the foundation on rock; when a flood arose, the waters pressed against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground (sand) without a foundation. When the floodwaters pressed against it, immediately it fell, and great was the ruin of that house.”

Oh, Lord, I pray that each one of us will embrace the knowledge that love is the fulfillment of Your commands to us.  Yes, love is your expressed will for our lives as believers! Let us, therefore, be imitators of You and follow Your example. As beloved children, let us walk in the way of love, just as You loved us and gave Yourself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God the Father. (Cf. Ephesians 5:1-2) Oh, Lord, I pray that love will be the foundation upon which we build our lives. Indeed, let us be wise when we call you, “Lord!” And may we endeavor to be like you, Lord Jesus, in this world!  In Your Mighty Name, I pray. Amen.

So Now You Know…

Have a Blessed Day!

This is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands. As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love. ~ 2 John 1:6