Sunday 15 March, 2015

1 The elder, To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever: 3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love. 4 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

Reading these verses reminded me of what Jesus said in the Gospel of John. In John 13:34, Jesus said “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Jesus loved his disciples. His love for them (and us) was demonstrated by the sacrifice He made for us on the cross. He spared not his life so that we (sinners) can live.

Knowing the truth of God, his son Jesus Christ and the gospel of grace leads to this love. True love will ultimately drive us to be obedient. Obedience will no longer be a chore but a joy. The more we love Jesus, the easier it is to follow and obey Him.

Lord Jesus, I thank you that you have shown us what true love is. Help us to love one another as brothers and sisters in Christ as you have loved us. In doing so, may we be the reflection of a true Church family. Amen

Written by Shin Liu