Love One Another
Opening Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray that you order my steps today through your word as I meditate on it.
Reflection
• Is there any command for me to obey?
• Is there any warning for me to heed?
John’s command to love one another has been the clarion call through the centuries amidst so much malice and hatred, strife and wars between people and nations. Why is there so much lack of love in our world today even among Christians? Cain’s story shows what lack of love can lead us into (vv.12,15; Gen. 4:8).
Unlike Christ, who gave his life for others, Cain took another person’s life (vv.12,16). That is what jealousy can lead us to do. Love neither erects boundaries (v.14), nor depends on the behaviour of those at the receiving end (read Matthew 5:43–48). Hatred (v.15), selfishness (v.17), hypocrisy (v.18) are some attitudes that are not consistent with love.
John 3:16 is considered the greatest verse in Scripture and 1 John 3:16 is our response to this great act of God. How can we practice this – loving not merely in words? Vv.18–21 can be difficult to understand. One explanation is that; while we, most times, can depend on the leading of our conscience (v.21), we sometimes have oversensitive consciences that may falsely condemn us.
However, if we are living in love toward our brethren (in deed, not just in words, vv.17–18), we can be assured that we are living in the truth. Our final authority is not our conscience, but God’s word (v.20b). For further study: Read vv.18–21 in different versions. Can you find other ways of explaining these verses?
⁂ Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
Practice/Word Application
• So then: Following the great command to love one another, list three things you will do to show genuine love towards a neighbour. Go and do them.
HYMN – Pass me not, O gentle Savior
1. Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.
Refrain
Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.
2. Let me at Thy throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief,
Kneeling there in deep contrition;
Help my unbelief.
Prayer Points
• Lord, help me love the way you do, loving even those who hate and mistreat me.
• Pray against the spiritual strongholds militating against peace and unity in Nigeria.
• Offer a prayer of faith in line with Exodus 3:8
Read the Bible in one Year
Joel; Phil. 4
Scripture Union Daily Guide 25th June 2020 – Scripture Union is an international, inter-denominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God.
