Book of JeremiahSample

LOVING OUR NEIGHBORS

Indeed, it is God who loved us first by giving His Son, Jesus Christ, to come into the world and die on Calvary as a peace sacrifice for our sins (see 1 John 4:10). Because of His love, our sins are forgiven and we enjoy salvation and eternal life. Every believer who has received God's love also receives the power to love his neighbor.

Love is God's own character that flows into the hearts of believers so that we have the ability to love others. Love in our heart does not come from ourselves, but comes from God's love:  "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (1 John 4:11 NKJV) We who have received the love of God are obliged and must share it with our neighbor. Therefore, love must be our lifestyle as a believer.

We cannot say that we have shared God's love for others, yet we still hold hatred in our hearts. "If a man says, 'I love God,' and he hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who loves not his brother whom he sees, cannot love God whom he has not seen." (1 John 4:20) Hatred and love are two very contradictory things. It is impossible to say we love God, but in everyday practice we still hate others.

Loving others also means not easily judging others (read Matthew 7:1-2). Judging means not seeing the state of oneself, yet tending to see the lives of others through criticism. Let's learn to share His love for those around us.

If we walk according to the will of God and imitate Him to love others, then we have lived like Him.