1 John: This Is Love: A 5-Day Reading Plan With Nicole SmitheeChikamu

Key Verse: 1 John 2:6

Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

Reflection:

In 1 John we are not only instructed to obey God’s commands, but to genuinely love one another. If you claim to know Jesus, then it will impact the way you view and treat those around you.

Which is wild, because when some people think of Christians today, they think of a group of people who are judgmental, hypocritical, and filled with hatred and condemnation towards certain others. It’s time we change the narrative, and commit ourselves to loving one another. Why? It’s impossible to truly follow Jesus without growing in our love for others.

Let’s be honest, sometimes, this is extremely difficult. At times, loving others will feel completely unnatural to what you want to do. It will be counter-cultural to the advice the world would give. When someone hurts you, it’s unlikely that TikTok and Instagram will advise you to forgive. When you get offended by someone at church, chances are your friends aren’t going to be encouraging you to work it out with that person because being united with your Christian brothers and sisters is way too valuable. When you don’t feel like preferring or serving someone else, culture isn’t going to tell you to be selfless.

When we follow Jesus and we experience His love, love begets love. We give love not because it’s easy, but because of the love Jesus gives to us. We are loved; therefore, we can love. As those loved by God, we become devoted— not just to Jesus— but also to each other.