Commanded to love

This is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another.  — 1 John 3:23

As a result of adult children neglecting their responsibilities, some elderly parents in Singapore are forced to seek financial help from charities and other state agencies. Speaking about this escalating situation, a government official said, “We cannot legislate love.”

In the Bible, however, love is commanded. That is what Moses told the nation of Israel: “I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways” (Deut. 30:16). And Jesus said that the greatest commandment was to “love the Lord your God” (Mark 12:30).

How can God command love? His supreme display of love at Calvary gave Him that right. Jesus’ beloved disciple, John, wrote: “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us . . . This is His commandment: That we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment” (1 John 3:16-23).

What opportunities do you have to obey God’s command to love? Honoring parents by caring and providing for them? Ministering to a sick friend? Offering a gracious and kind word to someone who is difficult to love?

Lord, because You laid down Your life for us, help us to show love to others. — C. P. Hia

Love is an attitude, love is a prayer,

For someone in sorrow, a heat in despair;

Love is good will for the gain of another,

Love suffers long with the fault of a brother. — Anon. 

READ: 1 John 3:16-24

We show our love for God when we love one another.

The Bible in one year:

• Proverbs 6-7

• 2 Corinthians 2