THE BELOVED: TRUTH AND LOVE
People are different. We share differences in skin color, in hobbies, in religion, in characteristics, in preferences – just to name a few in a list of many. Sometimes these differences create the reasons we like or love other people. However, don’t we all know the moments when differences make interacting with one another difficult – even with people near and dear to our hearts?
In John’s second letter to early Christians in the Bible, he reminded them, “that we should love one another”. John also said that this is not the first place in the Bible that asks us to love one another, but rather a commandment, “we have had from the beginning” (2. John 5). This statement shows the importance that God puts on the act of loving each other, since he commanded it from the beginning.
In our western society, we want to live a free and individual life; a commandment is not something we take lightly. However, commandments clarify the importance of certain matters. So, by giving this commandment, God emphasizes how much he values that we love one another.
Sometimes loving others is hard. Like when your housemate once again left the kitchen dirty after cooking, or when your friend canceled your coffee meet up just shortly before your meeting. How do we love in these moments?
I find it very encouraging when John tells us that, “grace, mercy, and peace,” are attributes that, “come from God the Father and Jesus Christ – the Son of the Father,” and, “will continue to be with us, who live in truth and love” (2 John 3). I think we all know that loving others is easier when we know that others love us. It is easier to act in grace, mercy, and peace when others act in this way towards us.
The truth is that God loves us and acts in grace, mercy, and peace towards us in many ways. Most importantly God sent his son, Jesus Christ, into the world who loves us unconditionally and shows us humans how to love in the world. If we believe this and experience the unconditional love that God has for us in Jesus, then he enables us to love one another.
Believing in God’s love does not mean we will automatically or perfectly love everyone and live with the attributes of, “grace, mercy, and peace” towards others. But in challenging moments, it becomes easier to love when we have experienced God’s unconditional love for us.
Have you experienced God’s love and his grace, mercy, and peace towards you? He deeply wants you to experience this and more in Jesus. We would love to show you ways you can experience God’s love in your daily life. Feel free to connect with us and learn more.