“I give you a commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this every one will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13: 34 & 35).
During the first Century, followers of Christ were often thought of as a sect of Judaism. To show that they were different, Jesus commanded them to love one another as a prove that they were not merely a sect of Judaism but his disciples. He said by loving one another people would come to realize that “you are my disciples.” The hall mark of Christianity is love. In demonstration of His love, God sent His son to the world. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life (John 3: 16).
He came down from heaven and was embodiment of love during his earthly ministry which culminated in giving himself as a sacrifice for salvation of mankind. “Greater love has no man than this, that He lay down His life for His friends” (1 John 15: 13).
The command to love is not optional. For one to qualify to be called a Christian the person must obey this command. God gave Moses the ten commandments which changed Israel from a “mob” coming out of Egypt to an organized community. Later the Jewish religious teachers and lawyers made over 600 divers laws out of the Ten Commandments.
When Jesus was asked which of these laws was the greatest, he narrowed the whole commandments and diverse laws thus, Love of God and love of neighbor. He went on to say, “on these commandments hang all the law and the prophets”
Some people claim to love God but the scripture falts such claim if such people do not love their neighbours. The scripture says such frivolous claim makes them liars. “Those who say “I love God” and hate their brothers or sisters are liars: for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this, those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also”. (1 John 4: 20 & 21).
This is so because your brother whom you see is created in the image and likeness of God, therefore a hater of man is a hater of God.
One may single-handedly erect church buildings all over the places, without love for all people, the project is worth nothing.
One may be acclaimed as a “prayer warrior”, without love for people around him all he does is futile. “If I speak in tongues of mortals and Angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I am nothing” (1 Corinthians 13: 1- 3).
The scripture is clear on the issue of love. Anyone who claims to be a Christian but does not love all, regardless of state, religion or tribe is not a true Christian because he has disobeyed Christ. The Good Samaritan is widely acclaimed today because he showed love beyond tribal and religious boundaries (Luke 10). Many people who call themselves Christians find it difficult to show genuine love for people outside their tribal or geographical boundaries. Obviously, this is a great minus in their Christian life. Our Lord also commands us to show love to those who hate us.
Our collect for the week sums it up:- “Lord God, you have taught us that anything we do without love is worth nothing, for whoever lives without love is counted dead before you; send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the bond of peace and of all virtues…”
The Apostle John calls on all Christians to love “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God: whoever does not love does not know God for God is love” (1 John 4: 7)
Beloved, let us heed Apostle John’s call so that all we do for the church of God shall bring us blessing and we shall be counted worthy and living before God.
May the love of God be with you all.
Your brother and friend
Clement Iwuoha