Are We Loving As We Should?

1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

One of the last commands Jesus gave the disciples was that they would love one another, as He loved them. By this type of love, the world would know they belonged to Him (John 13:34-35). This command is extended to us today. The fact of the matter is that I see a lot of division, and a great lack of love amongst Christians. We argue over silly things that will not matter when we finally stand before the Lord. This kind of division in Christianity leaves a bad taste, and does nothing to draw the unsaved to Jesus. As a matter of fact, for those of us who claim that we love God, but hate our brother, all I can say is that this is not possible. 1 John 4:20 clearly says, "If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" How then is it possible to truly love our brother? It all begins with the only Source of true agape love...Jesus. As born again believers, we have the Holy Spirit, who produces one aspect of His fruit in our lives...love. However, just being born again does not enables us to love each other as we should. It takes close, intimate, fellowship with Jesus for us to find the strength to love as God loves. The love God wants us to have for one another is a love that is supernatural. Therefore, it can only come via our relationship with Jesus. If we are going to make an impact in this world and truly stand apart in the way we love others, we need to get our thinking, our attitude, and our desires, in line with God's; and stop trying to walk that fine line of living for Jesus, living for the world, and living for self. So, the next time we start to boast about how much we love God, we need to stop and examine how we are loving the brethren.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His free gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).