Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. (1 John 2:7-8)
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another…” (John 13:34)
My newsfeed has been filled with some very ugly things lately.
This post isn’t going to hash over what we all know is happening in the world today – everyone has their views and I’m pretty sure if you’re reading this blog then you know where I stand.
Instead I want to talk about God’s love for us. To help remind me and you of what that means.
In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:9-11)
It’s easy to allow our own sin to get in the way of God’s love. Why is finding and showing His love to others so difficult? I wish I had the answers – I know I struggle with it myself.
I ask each of you to join me in spending time reflecting on God’s love for us. Then think of ways you can share that love with others. Whether it’s the little things like getting your beloved or children a special present or doing a small service for them, letting cars in front of you while you’re driving OR the big things like volunteering at the local homeless shelter or food pantry.
How can we show Christ’s love to everyone? What can each of us do to reflect that back into the world?
Dear Lord, thank You for Your love. Please help me put aside my pride and sin so I can truly focus on the pure love that You offer to me and then find ways to share that love with the rest of the world. Amen.