08 March - See How They Love One Another
“Now about your love for one another we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more.”
1 Thessalonians 4:9-10
In these two verses, we are reminded to love each other. It is interesting that verse 9 says that this love is not from within ourselves, it is from God, ‘you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.’ It is God’s grace to us.
At his last meal with his disciples, Jesus said, “A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another; as I have loved you” (John 13:34).
It is a commandment which some of us will find very difficult to obey. Some fellow Christians are truly hard to love! Sometimes, we do not even want to love them. And yet we know that God does not request or suggest that we love one another. He commands us to love each other.
This verse in 1 Thessalonians 1:9 encourages us to love, as we know that love comes from God, not from within ourselves. Our own sinful nature will not enable us to love one another as Jesus loves us.
The Bible also tells that God’s love compels us (2 Corinthians 5:14). God will pour his love in our heart to overflowing, if we let him.
And then, in verse 10, Paul talks about those in the Thessalonian Church loving others beyond their boundaries – ‘you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia’.
Our love should not just be confined within our own family, church and community, but should also go beyond our boundaries. It is exciting to know that when we obey Jesus’ last command, which is to love others, this love will compel us to also obey his Great Commission: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). We cannot truly love others without desiring them to be saved from the fate that awaits them. Love for others is our motivation to go tell the world about this wonderful Saviour that we have!
PONDER
This Easter, as we rejoice in the glorious hope of the Resurrection, think of one person you know for whom this Hope is not yet real. Pray, love and share the Good News.
PROMISE
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3)
PRAYER
Father, Love it was that made us and it was love that saved us. Your divine nature is Love. Grant us grace to love all men so that we can partake of your love. In Jesus’ name. Amen. (Adapted from the song, “Love it was that made us.”)
Article by Ms A Annamaney, Chairperson of the Diocesan Anglican Care, and Anglican Alliance Regional Facilitator for East and South-East Asia. She is a member of St Paul’s Church, Petaling Jaya.