LOVE IS SACRIFICE

23rd  JULY 2023

 “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” – 1 John 4:8

Today, I wish to draw attention to what God says about love, and why we must love. For instance, in 1 Peter 4:8, the Bible says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins”. In Ephesians 5:21, the Bible says, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ: In 1 John 4:8, the Bible says, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. In 1 Corinthians, 13:13, the Bible says, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.

 We must therefore see the face of God in every human being. In any event, the scripture says we are made in the image and likeness of God. This refers to the spiritual essence of God in us. In order to pass the test of loving God, we have to translate “loving God” to love our fellow human beings. Three times the Master asked Peter; “Do you love me”? Three times Peter answered, “Yes Lord, you know all things, and you know that I love thee”) But Jesus was fast to add; “then feed my sheep” (John 21:16). By that, the Master revealed that only through the act of service to others can we truly demonstrate our love for God.

It would appear, therefore, that, on judgment day, our works of service, will be recalled and examined as a basis of gaining eternal life in heaven. The word of God today requires us to love by giving selfless service to others as a basis for demonstrating our love for God. Therefore, we cannot claim that we love God without loving each other. God is love. For the sake of God’s love, He sacrificed Jesus to raise the world from the grave; Therefore, we must also show love to one another.

You will also recall that Jesus introduced us to the two–in–one commandment of God. Jesus says all the commandments are summarized in these two commandments thus:  Number 1 is that we have to love God with our soul and entire being. Number 2 is that we have to love our neighbour as ourselves. To love God with our soul and everything means that we have to make sacrifices up to the point of death on behalf of others, all for the sake of God.

To love your neighbors as yourself does not mean that you have to first love yourself before you think of loving another. But that verse simply teaches that you must first, put yourself in the condition of others, and then decide whether what you are doing to them is good enough for you if you were to be in their situation. In other words, put yourself in the shoes of others, and do for them what you would like them to do to you were you to be in the same circumstance.

The eternal life we seek in heaven as Christians will elude us if we are unable to obey these two-in-one commandments of God (Matthew 25:35-40). This is because admission into heaven will be conducted on the basis of how much love you gave to others! (Matthew 25:35-40). Also on earth, you reap the quantity of love you extend to others! As you sow, so you reap!

PRAYERS

Father in the name of Jesus Christ, I thank you for your word, for I am strengthened by it. Father, today I receive the strength to overcome every weakness that would not enable me to express love and affection to others. AMEN.

FURTHER READING: Matthew 25:35-40