Command to Love
Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | August 10 2024 | John 15:12-13
KEY VERSE:
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
In John 15:12-13, Jesus issues a powerful command that forms the foundation of Christian living: "Love each other as I have loved you." This command is not just a suggestion; it is central to our identity as followers of Christ. Jesus sets the standard for love by pointing to His own sacrificial love for us. His love is selfless, unconditional, and boundless, culminating in the ultimate sacrifice of laying down His life for our salvation. As His disciples, we are called to reflect this same love in our relationships with others, demonstrating a love that is willing to go to great lengths for the sake of others.
The love Jesus commands us to show is not based on feelings or emotions but is a deliberate choice to put others before ourselves. It involves seeking the best for others, even when it comes at a personal cost. This kind of love requires humility, patience, and a willingness to serve others sacrificially. Jesus' command challenges us to move beyond superficial or convenient expressions of love and embrace a deeper, more authentic way of loving. It is through this kind of love that we fulfil His command and reveal His character to the world.
Jesus also teaches that there is no greater love than laying down one’s life for one’s friends. While not all are called to lay down their lives, we are all called to embody this sacrificial love in our daily lives. This might mean sacrificing our time, resources, or comfort for the sake of others. By doing so, we participate in the very love of Christ, who gave everything for us. When we love as Jesus loved, we do not only honour His command but also create a community that reflects the heart of God.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Commit yourself to living out this command to love knowing that in doing so you are living out the very essence of the gospel. Spread His love to all you interact with today. Let others see the love of Jesus through you.
PRAYER:
Dear Lord, help me to follow your example to love others. Help me to be a channel of your love to all the people I interact with today and in the days ahead. For your dear name’s sake. Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: COMMAND
The word "command" in our key verse for today's devotional is translated from the Greek word "ἐντολή" (entolē), which is used throughout the New Testament to denote an authoritative directive or instruction. It implies a mandate that requires obedience from those who hear it. This word carries the weight of a binding obligation.
Jesus' command to love each other as He loved is central and essential to fellowship among believers. It sets a high standard of self-sacrificial, unconditional love, reflecting Jesus' own love. This command fosters unity and mutual care in the Christian community, serving as a powerful witness to the transformative power of Jesus' teachings.
Reflections:
The command to love is the hallmark of true discipleship and the foundation of a vibrant, authentic Christian community. How can you more fully embrace and live out the command to love others as Jesus has loved you, and how does this command shape your relationships and actions with other believers.?
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