““A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.””
John 13:34-35 NIV
If ever there has been a time where world values clash with kingdom values, it seems to be now. We are called to love one another as Christ has loved us but the world roars division, strife and hatred. Why before his going to the cross was Jesus adamant about telling his disciples to love, to be known as his by the way they loved. Because love defines the kingdom of God thus will define those who serve him!
Jesus told us that all that was written about living could be summed up in two commands, love the Father and love others. The greatest force that compelled the Father to send his Son for a lost world was love. Because of love, Jesus laid down his life willing for us. Scripture tells us no man has greater love than to die for another!
If there is one gift we could all receive in abundance this season it should be love. It is the greatest gift we can give to the Father and to others. You see, we do not have a choice, if we are his people we are commanded to love. To love opens our lives to God so his wondrous work in us can be fulfilled. But, it also opens our hearts to love others which can enrich our very existence beyond anything we could have dreamed of!