Love is the theme of the book of first John. It seems that the apostle John was the apostle who deeply loved the Lord. Several times he defines himself to be the one whom YAHSHUA loved. I am sure YAHSHUA loved everyone equally, but John was the one who understood this love, received and wrote about it. In his first book he registered the extent of God’s love toward men- to the point of giving His only Son to die for the human race (John 3:16). “Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called the sons of God!” and to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in His name (John 1:12).We are debtors to the tremendous love of God. Loving Him, we show to have faith which pleases Him, for we are living the life of the Spirit Who dwells in us. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God (Rom. 8: 14). The faith that pleases Him is rested on the love that comes from us to Him. God desires our love so that we will walk in the Light and in submission to His love, Who is YAHSHUA, the essence of His love.
YAHSHUA went far and beyond His way to show His love for us, but rarely do we make a sacrifice to love Him. We want to be loved, but we do not want to do what takes to love Him. Until we learn to love others we will never be able to love God the way He commands us to do – as He loves us. It is a command YAHSHUA wants us to grasp, so that we can have the completion of His love in us. Paul commands us to clothe ourselves as God’s own chosen ones, by tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of ourselves, gentle ways, patience, be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference against another, readily pardon each other; even as the Lord has forgiven us, so must we also. And above all these [put on] love and enfold ourselves with the bond of perfectness (Col. 3: 12-14). We can only love God, when we learn to love each other. The Lord said, for I desire and delight in dutiful steadfast love and goodness, not in sacrifice and the knowledge of and acquaintance with God more than burnt sacrifice (Hose 6:6). Paul said that even if we dole out all that we have [for the poor in providing food], and if we surrender our body to be burned, but have not love we gain nothing. (I Cor. 13:3). If what we do for God is not done with love for Him and others, no matter the extent of sacrifice we make, it will never ascend to God without this main ingredient. So then, whether we eat or drink or whatever we may do, do all for the honor and glory of God (I Cor. 10:31). Let love be your guide to your relationship and service with and to God. Then you will be able to answer Him, Yes, Lord, I love (agape) You!
Light from the Word 