The Thread
Here is the most important thread that is woven throughout the Gospel of Christ. The apostle John wrote,
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:7-10.
Here John points out that love comes from God. The we are to love one another. The example being set by God.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“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.
As true believers in Christ we must love. Not only because God loved us, but because it is what Jesus told us to do. 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.
Jesus also said,
“We love because He (God) first loved us.” 1John 4:19.
The apostle Paul defining Christian love as,
Please think about it.
Here is the most important thread that is woven throughout the Gospel of Christ. The apostle John wrote,
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:7-10.
Here John points out that love comes from God. The we are to love one another. The example being set by God.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8.
John in his gospel quotes Jesus speaking of 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.
As true believers in Christ we must love. Not only because God loved us, but because it is what Jesus told us to do. 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.
Jesus also said,
“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 4:43,44.
Unconditional love is the cornerstone of Christian belief. John telling us.“We love because He (God) first loved us.” 1John 4:19.
The apostle Paul defining Christian love as,
“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.
If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus is this the kind of love you are showing toward God, your neighbour and even your enemy?Please think about it.
