Walking In the Command of Love

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Scripture:

2John 5 But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning, let us love one another.
2John 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning—you must walk in it.

Observation:

John has already prayed for grace, mercy and peace to be upon this lady and those to whom she is ministering. He doesn’t waste any time getting right to the nitty-gritty of things, and that is, to tell her what is the very most important in life. There are many things that can distract but at the end of the day we are to “love one another.” This is the greatest command which we have received from God and it is in this command of love that we must walk.

Application:

Just this morning I was watching a TED talk with Rita Pierson called, “Every Kid Needs a Champion.” At the end of the day it sounds a bit like this letter from John. She literally commands school teachers to love their students. She even goes as far as to say that there may be some students that you don’t particularly like, but don’t let them know that! Some are even difficult to like, but the fact is, they need to be loved and accepted.

No matter how difficult people may be, we are commanded to love one another and this is how the world begins to see the difference that we can make as followers of Jesus Christ. God’s love compels us, but it can only compel us when we are spending time living in his love.

Although I work to set aside time with the Lord every day, I have to confess that it’s been some time since I’ve been able to just really stop everything and bask in his presence. Last night as I was flying I put on my ear buds and began playing my worship playlist. It’s amazing what happens when we tune out everything else around us and our hearts and minds are suddenly filled with songs of worship and praise to our God. Can we get blessed at 30,000 feet? I think so! And these moments of filling are so important to us for we cannot love others with his love, if we have not been experiencing his love.

We walk in his command, for we are charged to go and love one another — even when we, or others may be acting rather unlovable. It is God’s love that can change the world.

Prayer:

Lord, please help me to walk in your love today.  Amen.

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