For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 1 John 3:11(NKJV)
This letter was written by John, known as the ‘apostle of love.’ But when we read the gospel records, we will find that this was not his true nature. John, along with his brother James, had earned from Jesus the title- “sons of thunder”(Mark 3:17). This was because they were constantly ready to attack those who opposed them. John’s temperament was not naturally inclined to show love. But when John met Jesus Christ and received Him as His savior, he was born again. John reflected the life of God as he began to show love.
How do we show love to one another?
John says Jesus is the ultimate example of love. John reminds us of Jesus’s teachings about love and obedience to God. It is not enough to say that we love our brothers and sisters in Christ but secretly hate and resent them in our hearts. We must love from the inside out, in ways love can be visible, as Jesus modelled.
Our Lord Jesus Christ selflessly gave Himself for us on the cross. So we should give ourselves in service to one another, especially fellow believers.
We share love by giving; we show love by actions. If we see someone in need, we do what we can to show compassion and help meet their needs. Our actions and lifestyle will show that we have received God’s love and belong to the Lord Jesus Christ.
We not only show this love towards those who love us but toward those who do not love us. They may be unloving, ungrateful, selfish and bitter toward us. By loving even our haters, we display the character of true love and evidence that new life has come, born of God.
