Scripture

Dear friends, I am writing a new commandment for you, rather it is an old one you heard from the beginning. This old commandment – to love one another- is the same message you heard before.

Observation

If we sin we have an advocate, Jesus Christ, who pleads our case with the Father. We can be sure we know Him if we obey His commandments. Someone who claims to love God but disobeys His commandments is a liar.

The commandment to love is not new. It is the same message we heard from the beginning. Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and those who are in fellowship with Him do so too.

If a person claims to be in the light, but they hate their brother or sister, they are still living in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother or sister is walking in the light of the Lord.

Application

The commandment to love one another is at the heart of God’s plan for us. Jesus made it clear. “A new commandment I give to you that you love one another as I have loved you.”

John says in this passage that a person’s attitude to other christian brothers and sisters shows whether or not they are truly in the light. If we fail to show love to any brother or sister, we are not really following Jesus.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus taught us that love has to be costly and extend to people beyond our normal circles, to the people we consider to be outsiders- whether that s ethnic, class or sex.

The commandment to love others is unlimited. There is no boundary placed on this.

Because Christ has loved us and all the world, we too must love everyone.

Prayer

Lord, let your love explode in my heart. Help me to love everyone with your love, and to live that out in every encounter today. Amen.