John 3:16-21
Love has become the most essential truth of our salvation. Jesus Christ could have come at His first appearance as a Judge to destroy every rebellious sinner, but He appeared in the flesh because of the love of God. The price He had to pay was gruesome and this was the beginning of God’s plan for our salvation. Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried but on the third day God raised Him up from the dead – 1 Corinthians 15:3-5. This is an assurance of forgiveness and restoration for every believer who come by faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. The options are clear – it is simply between life and death, condemnation and salvation; and Jesus came to offer us life and more abundantly because of the love of the Father – John 10:10 | Jeremiah 31:3.
Believers who have received grace because of God’s unfailing love are now compelled to walk in love. Since God chose the Israelites as the nation from whom the Messiah shall be born – God made it clear in His instruction and commanded them to teach the same to their children in Deuteronomy 6:4 | Deuteronomy 10:12 | Deuteronomy 30:6. This starts by our selfless love for God because it must be with all our heart, soul and strength. In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus Christ expanded this Truth to include our relationship with others, though mentioned in God’s commandment given to Moses. This revelation re-emphasizes not only loving God but loving our neighbours as ourselves.
- 1 John 4:20 – If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
- 1 John 2:9-11 – “He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes”
Jesus Christ in His teachings admonished us to spread the love of God by loving others unconditionally – “as I have loved you, that you also love one another”- John 13:34-35.
- Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”
Our love for God and our neighbours reveals our communion with God, Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit.
Discussion:
- What are the markers that show that a believer loves God with all their heart, soul and strength? Mention the virtues that are visible with this individual and explain.
- Life presents us the opportunity to meet different people and find ourselves in different (right/godly) relationships, when we come across strange people or relationships become sour, identify steps that we must take – Matthew 18:15-17 | 1 Peter 4:8-9.
- God is love – what do you understand this statement to mean? 1 John 4:7-11. Explain what unconditional love is? Is it practicable on this side of heaven?
- If we truly agree that God is love, what should love be in our marriage? Or how do we define love in marriage?
Prayer.
