“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” 1 John 4:7 NIV
The church father, Jerome, said that when the apostle John was in his extreme old age, he was so weak that he had to be carried into the church meetings. At the end of the meeting, he would be helped to his feet to give a word of exhortation to the church. Invariably, he would repeat, “Little children, let us love one another.” The disciples began to grow weary of the same words every time, and they finally asked him why he always said the same thing over and over again. He replied, “Because it is the Lord’s commandment, and if this only is done, it is enough” (cited by John Stott, The Epistles of John [Eerdmans], p. 49). Our culture uses the word “love” in many ways: “I love rugby”, “I love the mountains”, “I love my children”. We often think that love is a sentimental, syrupy feeling. Biblical love is a self-sacrificing, caring commitment that shows itself in seeking the highest good of the one loved. At its heart, biblical love is a commitment, and thus it may be commanded. But it is not a commitment without feeling, but a caring commitment. In other words, biblical love involves delight, not just duty. This caring commitment is not just an attitude, but an action: it shows itself in action. These actions often require self-sacrifice, seen supremely in Jesus’ going to the cross. The goal of this commitment is the highest good of the one loved, which is that the person be saved and be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Biblical love allows for loving correction when needed.
PRAYER THOUGHT
Loving Lord, fill us with the desire to reflect Your love to others.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Loving Lord, because love stems from You and because You are the Source and full expression of true love, fill us with the desire to reflect Your love to those around us. AMEN
I.B.R.A. Readings
Philippians 2:19-30
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