1 John 5:2-3 - What Does It Mean to Love?
If you could summarize the messages of the Apostle John into a single statement it would probably hone in on 1 John 1 (love God, love one another, and do not love the things of this world) and these verses in 1 John 5. These verses tell us that loving God means keeping His commandments and loving His children. But what does that mean? What’s the practical side of it? 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 sheds some light on the subject.
In Virginia (where I live) we have LOVE signs all over the place. It's a somewhat helpful reminder of Jesus’ commandments. But I rarely stop to think about the power of a Holy Spirit-led life - a life led by God’s love.
A life abounding in love is a supernatural life. It is available to every person that breathes. Yet it seems rarer than a Monet. We may be more likely to see a Russian oligarch without a yacht than a life lived in Christ’s perfect love. Okay, that’s a bit much. But still, why is it so rare. Jesus says “I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” (Matthew 19:24). When God repeats something He wants us to pay attention. It is so very easy to have a milk and water Christianity that puts our hopes and dreams in the world rather than in God’s promised eternity. God is for us. I believe that. And I believe He wants us pure so that He can use us for the best purposes. In real estate, we say, what’s the highest and best purpose for that property. It’s the same question for our lives. The answer is that it is a life lived obeying God and following His will. A life of love, genuine love.
Each of us is growing in Christ’s love, yet we have not yet tapped the vast resources God offers. We play in puddles. God offers oceans.
With God’s love, we have the superpowers of patience and kindness. We will need them today.
Just think about the Christian leaders you know, the tweets they send, and their attitude toward the people God loves. Some do really well. Others have a long way to go. Does their conduct reflect the standard Jesus sets for us through John? The Apostles carried God’s standard with faith and confidence. They never looked back.
Jesus made no mistake in choosing His men. He made no mistake in choosing you! He knew what His Apostles were capable of - a million times more than they could have hoped or imagined. They, like us, were sinners saved by Jesus Christ and guided by the love of the Counsellor after Jesus ascended to heaven.
We have everything we need to gain full knowledge and depth of insight and to live in this day sincere before God and useful to Him.
Do not be worldly. That means being loving, patient, and kind. Listen to God. He says that love does not envy. Stop comparing yourself to others and envying what they have. It is truly a shame how so-called Christian leaders war for more of what their brothers and sisters have.
Love does not boast. We see Christians bragging constantly about everything but the Cross of Christ. It is not right. Stop it. Stop bragging about yourself, your degrees, etc. You are not that important. Neither am I. We need God, not the other way around.
Love is not arrogant. How many will be in hell because of the medals we pin on our chests and the Southern Baptist backs we slap, or the legalistic way we look down on the very people God loves. They say there is a consequence to elections. Yes, but there is also a consequence to our shameful pride. Jesus is not arrogant. Love is not arrogant. Let us be like Jesus.
Love does not behave rudely. If you had a day off for every rude email or rude comment you’ve received over the last few years I bet you could take a year’s sabbatical. I don’t know if social media and cultural wars make it worse. I honestly doubt it as I don’t think anything is new under the sun. It’s like the cycle of violence in Northern Ireland. It has to stop. Be the one to make it stop. Stop being rude. Be kind. Be silent. Listen. Care. Love.
Love does not seek its own. Seek a way to serve today, not to be served. And then watch God’s fruit grow, like a healthy Virginia tomato plant producing rich fruit. In your life and in your area of influence there will be a rich harvest as you seek to serve others.
Love is not provoked. With God’s supernatural power of love your blood pressure will go down. You have a shield against provocation: love. As we grow in God’s love we grow in our ability to yield to others. There is no road rage with Holy Spirit love.
Love keeps no record of wrong. It’s okay. Let it go. Think of it no more. Forgive. For the love of God, forgive. God forgave us. We now can forgive others, in God’s love. The event is gone. No record remains. The record is eliminated. Only by God’s supernatural power is that possible.
Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness. Stop celebrating sin. True love cannot celebrate sin. God forbid we see in the church the celebration of men and women living in disobedience to God’s standards. I’m ashamed to say I’ve seen it too often. Too often we turn a blind eye to the overt practice of sinning, and the praise of greed and the love of money. Love does not do that.
Instead, love rejoices in truth. Gather together. Study God’s word. Ensure all your brothers and sisters continue to gather together, teaching and growing in understanding of God. Fellowshipping, sharing the Lord’s supper, confessing sins, celebrating salvation and miraculous events, and singing hymns of praise. And when we do that rejoice in God’s goodness. Celebrate for no one should rejoice more than a sinner saved by God and filled with Christ’s love.
Love is resilient; it can bear all things. You’ll get through this tough patch with God’s supernatural power of love.
Love believes in all promises of God. God is growing our understanding. He is making it much more clear what is from Him and what is not.
Love hopes all things, endures all things, and never fails.
Lord Jesus, we ask your forgiveness for not imitating you the way we should and for failing to love the way you teach us to. Help us to be loving today. Amen.
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