16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
17 But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
I know this isn’t my usual type of post. I’m not claiming to be a Bible teacher, but am thinking about Love For The Brethren, and am talking out loud to you, Dear Reader. I am at home with my dear Lydia who is sick with flu (boo hoo!), rather than at the evening worship service with the rest of the family. I love the book of I John, so that’s what I picked up to read this quiet Sunday evening.
In verse 16 I note that God the Son, Jesus Christ, has already shown His love to us in laying down His life for us. Regardless of what emotions I might be feeling at any given time, and regardless of circumstances being difficult, the fact of the matter is that God has already shown and is continuing to show ultimate love. In this I take comfort, and my heart is calmed.
Next, in verses 16 and 17, I notice the following things about the love Christians are to have for others, especially for the brethren:
- Love is willing to be inconvenienced (and more) for the sake of others.
- Love wants to know other people to the extent of knowing what their needs are. It isn’t shallow or superficial with others.
- Love is desirous to help meet the needs of those it professes to love at cost to oneself.
- Love shows itself by truly loving, helpful works.
- Love doesn’t PRETEND that everything is OK when it’s not.
I pray God that He would grow me in grace, that I might love Him more and that I might have this miraculous love for others.
(Image from Snapshots of Joy.)
Thank you, Mrs. Brownstone!
Lydia is feeling much better this evening. 🙂