FAITH CAPSULE: Love as commanded by God.
1 John 3
Do you love others? 1 John 3:11 stated, “For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” Many claims to be a believer but loving one another are not in heart. Are you in the Lord? One that is in the Lord is not by the word of mouth but keeping in the word as stated, “But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.” (1 John 2:5) Loving should be the key of the life of believer.
Jesus gave the parable, “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.” (Luke 10: 30-33)
A man in the parable was attacked and wounded by thieves. A priest and Levite saw the wounded but passed on the other side. Do you love like the kind of priest and Levite that passed on and not help? An unbeliever demonstrated love as stated in Luke 10:33, “But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. Acclaimed believer in the name of love walked away but the sinner, a certain Samaritan, answered demonstrated the love of God. The sinner had compassion like Jesus.
Are you being deceived by church title or by a man designed position in the church? It is possible for one to be a priest or Levite and not answer as commanded to love. A certain Samaritan gave care when he supplied materials and paid the bill in full. Can you answer the Lord’s question? Luke 10:36 stated the question, “So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” Serving to please God is not only in religious activity. Serving to please God demands to love others.
John 13:34-35 buttressed, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” To love others is a command of God. Living by His command is the evidence of a true follower of Jesus. Love as commanded by God.
Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace to know and love by His command.