You Must Love

John says that Christians have a commandment from Christ: we must love our brothers. Jesus said this explicitly in two of the Gospels.

You Must Love

"And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also."

(1 John 4:21)

In verse 21, John says that Christians have a commandment from Christ: we must love our brothers. Two places in Scripture where Jesus said this explicitly are, first, Matthew 22:37-39, also known as the Great Commandment: "Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" And second, in John 13:34-35, Jesus stated, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

It is easy to say that we are Christians and on our way to heaven, but are we truly followers of Christ? The Apostle John gives these three tests whereby one can know if he is a true follower of Christ or not: First, the doctrinal test: do we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God come in the flesh? Second, the social test: do we truly love the brothers and sisters in the church? Third, the moral test: do we obey God's laws, commandments, and His Word?

The Holy Spirit is the One who makes it possible for us to pass these tests. He reveals to us our sins and our need for salvation in Jesus Christ. Once you truly believe in Jesus alone for your eternal salvation, the Holy Spirit of God comes to live within you. He makes God's laws, commandments, and the Word of God attractive to you, and places within you a desire to obey God's Word and keep His commandments. Also, it is the Holy Spirit who empowers you to love others, even those who wrong you or disappoint you.

How are you obeying Jesus and His Word and loving all people, especially those in the Church?

Have a blessed weekend. Thank you for your prayers and support for our DFEA ministry. We are grateful for you! If you would like to donate to DFEA, go to: dfea.com/donate