Showing posts with label "Called to Love". Show all posts
Showing posts with label "Called to Love". Show all posts

Thursday 8 February 2018

Called to Love

Called to Love
Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
Prior to this Matthew records Jesus as saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,...” Matthew 5:43,44.
As followers of Christ Jesus it is our job to show love to the world around us. John’s gospel records Jesus speaking about himself as saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.
God set the example for followers of Jesus. He showed His love toward mankind my sending His one and Only Son to earth, to provide for us a way to heaven.
If we are to continue the work of Jesus then we must love those around us unconditionally.
The definition of Christian Love was written by the apostle Paul when he wrote,
“Love is patient, love is kind. 
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 
it is not easily angered, 
it keeps no record of wrongs. 
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
 But the greatest of these is love.”  
                                                  1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
Do you love those around you, friend and foe alike?
Please think about it.