LIVE A LIFE OF LOVE
31st Oct 2017
Whilst reading John’s 1st letter in The Message, I realised that as far a John is concerned the opposite of love is not hate, as we would naturally think, but selfishness.
1 John 2:16 says, “Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him.” Such tragic consequences of simply of living selfishly.
The contrast comes in 1 John 4:7, “My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God.” Our love for each other not only builds our relationship with friends and family, it strengthens our relationship with God.
I had never before seen this contrast, John is clearly saying that our selfish life robs us of a strong and loving relationship with God. We all know what it is like to be selfish, it is a common character trait in us all. Sometimes we want to justify our selfishness by saying, “Don’t I have a right to please myself from time to time?” However, when we look at the wider consequences we see how destructive it is.
However, the great theme of John’s letter is that “living in love” is the most rich and blessed way we could possibly live. We are all familiar with many of the best know verses - “We love, because He first loved us.” and “Love covers over a multitude of sins.”
This love is supernatural and only comes as we let His love pour into our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is not trying harder, but letting more of His love pour in, so that there is more to flow out. Romans 5:5 says, “The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who is given to us.”
That abundant love, forgives, accepts, is kind, patient, generous, does not judge or seek its own way.
by Charles Sibthorpe
