This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our life for our brothers. (1 John 3:16)
John's first letter is a magnificent, moving and eloquent portrait of the love of God. God is not like love, or even just loving - for John God IS love (4:16). And if God is love, then love really is the defining principle of the universe. God created out of love, God's posture towards the creation, including us, is love and God's redeeming action through his-story is love. This action took on human form and culminated in its fullest and most complete expression in the person and work of Jesus. His sacrificial life and death is both God's greatest gift to us and God's greatest example for us.
Here is the rub; I find it far easier to receive the gift than to follow the example. I gratefully received the grace, mercy and forgiveness that Jesus offers me. Far harder is it to lay down my life in sacrificial service for others as Jesus' example compels me. John talks of 'hating our brother' (4:19) I do not think I hate anyone, but there are many I either dislike and/or avoid. But I am not called to love only those it is easy to love. I am called to love as Christ loved me - without exception and encumbrance. I can only do that through the power of God's renewing Spirit in me.
So Lord, as this new year unfolds before me, before anything else, help me to grow in love. Thank you that your live for me is full and free; may I love others the same way.
Comments