I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning.
2 John 1:5 NLT
It is well and good to do as the Lord commands us to.
If He says to rest, then rest. This is good for you.
If He says to wait, then wait. It will go well for you if you do.
If He says to love one another, then love wholeheartedly. This will bless everyone involved.
All the commandments of God can be summed up in one: love your neighbor as yourself.
Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for the one who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the Law.
Romans 13:8 NASB2020
Who is your neighbor? Is it the person living next door?
The right interpretation of the word neighbor is your fellow human being. Whoever you are with, whoever you are next to, whoever is in close enough proximity to see and hear, that is your neighbor.
In this modern era, anyone in the world can be your neighbor online. Let’s remember to love our neighbors as ourselves. Never say or do something to another that you would not want said or done to you.
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”
Matthew 5:43-44 NLT
What is God inviting us to do? To do what He says. To walk with Him in obedience to His will. Love your families. Love your friends. Love your enemies. Pray for everyone, especially those in authority.
If we’re ever going to return to civility, we who claim to be followers of Jesus must provide a good example by the way we live in this wicked and perverted generation.
Father in Heaven, have mercy on us. Forgive us of all of our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Fill us afresh with the Holy Spirit. Fill our hearts with Your Love and our minds with Your Truth. Fill us with Yourself. Lead us and guide us to love like You do. Bless our enemies so that they might see that You are the True and Merciful God and repent of their sins and receive eternal life through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.
2 John 1:6 NLT
Recommended reading: Romans 13 and Matthew 5.
Igniter Ministries 