The book of 1 John is packed with so much truth and conviction. The writer John was one of the closest eyewitnesses to the life of Jesus and has lived the remainder of his life spreading the gospel. He writes his letters to the new Christians in the Roman empire, focusing on love. John displays two aspects of love essential for Christians — we need to love God, and we need to love others! The kind of love that Jesus has for us is the same love we are to show to one another. John seems to recall this in his old age and as he sees what’s going on with early Christians, it’s time for them to get a reminder of this basic yet critical command.
1 John 2:5 says, “But if anyone obeys His word, love for God is truly made complete in them.” If we obey God’s word, that is how we show that we love Him. John concludes his letter by reaffirming this position.
1 John 5:3 “In fact, this is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome”. John weaves the thoughts of loving God and others so masterfully in his letter.
He says if we don’t love our brothers and sisters, we are “still in darkness” (1 John 2:9). However, if we do love our brothers and sisters, then we “live in the light” (1 John 2:10).
1 John 4:20 says, “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.” The bottom line is this if you can’t show love to others on earth, how can you possibly love God or even know Him?
The message in John’s letter is as clear now as it was then. We, as Christ-followers, should love extravagantly. Let us be recognized as followers of Christ for how we love God and others.
