1st John 4:11. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” WE OUGHT. Sometimes we avoid what we ought to do – Some reasons are legitimate but often reasons are askew - Because we would rather do something else than what is the true Reasons we do not love one another.
If my brother is in some kind of trouble – If he has chosen to live in his own little bubble – If for some reason he doesn’t want me to come on the double – We still ought to love one another.
There are times when I might say, “He deserves what he got – There were times when I could have helped him but rather chose not There will be times in the future when I have to do what God says I ought – And that is to love one another.
If I fail in this command, I might fail in some others – If I don’t act when I should, without having respect between brothers – If for some reason I fail those in want, I know I have not obeyed my Father – Who tells me to love one another.
To love one another is a debt I must pay – To love one another means to love in a self-sacrificing way – To love one another is one of the many ways I can publicly say I am a Christian, and Christians love one another.
“There have been many times Father, when I haven’t shown the love for my brothers in Christ that you have a right to expect from me. I pray for an awakening in my heart that lets me think of ways I can show love for Thy people. Linda is really good at this. May I learn from her and Thee how to show that I am a disciple in deed. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
When we love one another, God makes Himself known to others through us in a way similar to our Lord Jesus when He was here in the flesh. "Let this mind be in you, that was also in Christ Jesus." We are to be like Him in holiness [1Pe.1:15-16] which indicates a unique way of life that is lived in obedience to God. We are to be like Him in righteousness [1Jn.3:7] which means there are unique deeds done for the benefit of others. We are to be like Him in purity [1Jn.3:3] which is a unique conduct of life. We are to be like Him in love [Ep.5:1-2], walking in love which is a unique course in life. We are to be like Him in forgiveness [Col.3:13], indicating a unique attitude in life. We are to be like Him in compassion [Lu.6:16] in which we are to be merciful as our Father, which indicates a unique concern in life. We are to be like Him in endurance [Heb.12:2-4] as we "look unto Jesus" indicating a unique purpose in life. We are to be like Him in submission indicates a unique authority in life. We are to be like Him in humility and obedience [Phil.2:5-8] indicating a unique Lordship in our life. We are to be like Him in kindness [Lu.6:35], doing good for others which indicates unique action in life. We are to be like Him in our giving [2Co.8:1-9], and that generosity indicates a unique attitude toward money in our life.
The words of John do not tell us how many people we are to love, but how much we are to love those who are already in our lives in some way. It is not usually too difficult to show love to family members. We may be naturally shy and find it difficult to reach out to people, even when they are in the family of God. But soon we will find it possible to love others as the commandment of God tells us, because He gives us the desire and ability to do that within the confines of our personality.
Not every person finds it easy to talk, nor every extrovert loves people just because they find it easy to communicate and have a lot of friends. Love goes beyond words, to choices and actions that demonstrate what it is to be a Christian to our neighbors, strangers and even enemies. It is God's love that is made complete in us, not our own natural love that is being perfected. God's features, attitudes and actions are what we are able to display to those with whom we come in contact.