JOHN 3:16 – For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

It is the most powerful force in the world. It is the most needed thing in the world. And it is the number one piece of evidence assuring us we are children of God. This “it” is love; God’s love controlling, directing, motivating, and sustaining His children in their relationships in the world–all relationships in the world–saved and unsaved. And what we cannot do is gloss over this truth of scripture and the Christian life. It is that important. God’s people are to be known by our love, and that knowing means it is seen in action, felt by action, and is the first thing which should be mentioned in discussing the reputation of every Christian.

First, our Lord Jesus made love the “ID card” of His people and it is a love for people  – A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another(John13:34-35). Now is a good time to evaluate ourselves. Do we love people with God’s love? Not human love that is conditional and self-serving, but an “out of this world” love that is self-denying, seeking the good of others, even those who may have hurt or taken advantage of us. If we have to think hard about this, and conclude we are more critical of people than loving people, seek the Lord. Something is seriously amiss  in our lives if we don’t love people. It is a mark of new birth regardless of our personalities–introvert or extravert.

Next this love Christ gives to His people and to control His people isn’t just in words of profession. It has “feet on it” and that means it is active, works-based, and meets the needs of others–physical, emotional, and spiritual. The Apostle John states in his first letter, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:16-18). Don’t be satisfied or self-deceived by saying “I love people.” Let our lives affirm our profession of love by the practice of love. Just like our Lord exemplified and commanded.

Love. God’s love. It is the greatest need in our world today. And since God so loved the world, His people must also. It is the clearest affirmation we know the God who is love and so loved. May it be so more and more with each passing day of our lives giving the world the reality of the God who is love.

PRAYER: “Father, help me to love people, all people, as You do and for Your Son’s sake.”
QUOTE: “Jesus said we would be known by our love. Are we? If yes, praise Him. If not, repent for not being so.”

Because of Him,
Pastor Jim