The Commandment to Love
“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” -- John 15:12
It is easy to love the lovable. It is easy to like the likeable. But when we think of Christ’s love for us, we all can agree that He knows how unlovable and unlikeable we really are, yet He loves us unconditionally, completely and forever anyways!
This sounds easy enough: the Son of God loves me, (Galatians 2:20) and gave Himself for me. We can all praise Him for that! What, then, does he expect from us? In John 15:12 we find the answer: the same thing! Jesus Christ wants us to love others in the same way He loves us!
That is a tall order. In fact, to love others with the love God has for us is impossible in our own strength! But, God has enabled us to do it. The first fruit of the Holy Spirit is love (Gal. 5:22). In First Corinthians 13, the love chapter, we are told that while there are many important and admirable virtues, such as proclaiming the Word, knowledge, faith, generosity and sacrifice, but if these are done without love (charity) it is worthless, in Paul’s words it “profiteth me nothing.” (I Cor. 13:3).
We need to raise the standard high in our lives concerning loving others. Jesus Himself commanded that we are to love one another as He loves us!
Are you loving others as you should?
Have you taken time and really thought about God’s love for you, and all that Christ has done for you?
