Daily Reading: 6-27-16
1 John 2:7-11 New Living Translation (NLT)
Love is always connected to the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He is divine Love expressed through human flesh. If we follow Christ’s example that is revealed in Scripture-how he loved all people-we will be pleasing the heart of God. Let’s remember Jesus did not always agree with the way people chose to live out love because sometimes people chose to love self more than God, as well as abuse others. However, Christ extended to even the greatest offenders unconditional love and an attitude of respect. Love is not a feeling; love is a choice. God’s grace provides the power to put His love into action when we choose to love God’s way.
In his letter to believers everywhere, the Apostle John reminds Christ’s followers that living in God’s love is living in the Light of Truth. Christ revealed a clearer picture of God’s commandments by how he loved, respected the rights of others, and served people far beyond his circle of family and friends. In fact, Jesus loved his enemies; those who were really difficult to love. If we find ourselves ignoring and despising people, then it really points toward our own wrong attitude and poor choice regarding love.
A New Commandment
7 Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment-to love one another-is the same message you heard before. 8 Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it. For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining.
9 If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. 10 Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.
Prayer: Father, thank You for this reminder about love, today. Jesus, thank You for your example and for stretching my understanding and attitude about how to love. Holy Spirit, please help me to choose to love all the people You bring into my life, today. In Jesus name. Amen.