“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgement: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.”

   The hallmark of the believer is their willingness to submit to the commands of God. His command is that we love one another. Not like we might calculate love but love as he has revealed through His life, sacrifice, and suffering. Real love, God’s love is devoid of self-interest and self-promotion. We love because He first loved us. 

   Our great hope in the power of the cross to forgive our sins and reconcile us to the father and has taken away any fear of death or retribution for our sins. We are free to love with abandon and confidence that Christ has given us hope. R.C. Sproul wrote a book entitled, Saved from What? He asked the question, “if we are saved, what is it we are saved from?” The short answer was “we are saved from God himself.” Our peace and confidence are in the knowledge that Christ is enough. His life, His cross, His victory over death, hell, and the grave have given us the power to die to self and live in His glorious light and love.

   Be careful to understand the undeniable truth that is shared here. If we claim to love God and do not love our brother and sister, we are liars. I can’t express strongly enough the life changing truth of that statement. We must love one another. 

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”  John 13:34 – WE MUST!