Is the song now in your head? You’re welcome. It has been in mine for days. With the freezing temperatures, as I have said before, Starburst, my golden doodle, does not get a long walk. She is disappointed with me, naturally, because she forgets every time how cold it is outside. I’m looking at her right now, in the hallway, waiting for me to finish and get our walk going. Today she will get a walk. She always stays right by me. Her love for me is an amazing gift.
I can honestly say that I haven’t spent this much time thinking about love in awhile. In 1 John 4, love is mentioned, in those 15 verses, 27 times. And I’ve been sitting in 1 John 4 for a week. It’s a lotta love.
Phrases such as “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18) and “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19) have been on my mind so much. I’ve misread and misinterpreted these verses. Today, I have the opportunity to love. Each day is an opportunity to practice what the Spirit of the Lord calls. Love.
This doesn’t mean I am a doormat for difficult people, what it means is I am called to pray and declare the power of love over situations in my life. Another song in your head? You’re welcome. Haha.
So now we begin 1 John 5, the final chapter. And John continues his conversation of love. Here we go:
“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.”
1 John 5:1-4 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.5.1-4.ESV
Believe Jesus is who He says He is…Messiah. Born of God. If I declare my love for the Father, I also declare those who have been born of God, notably Jesus. I can be certain that I love God when I love His children. When I obey His commands, and do as He calls. This is not chains or burdens to do what He says. In fact, my obedience to His calling showcases my love for Him.
Why is it so hard? People are challenging. This is a high calling. yet it is directed to each one of us. We called to love. Notice there are not any caveats. If a person treats you badly, then you don’t have to love them. If a person makes your life miserable, you are off the hook. Nope, it is not there. In fact, Jesus has more to say on this:
““You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.”
Matthew 5:38-42 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.5.38-42.ESV
these are some difficult words from Jesus. We all have a warped sense of justice. When we are wronged, mistreated, we have a deep sense of justice. These verses don’t really hold up our thoughts of justice. Rather, this is an attitude of humble. If I trust God, then I trust that through these hard circumstances and people, He will take care of me. I need to lay down my rights and let God balance it all.
So much to think on today. Have a wonderful day, friends.
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