Scriptures: John 13:34-35; 1 John 3:11-18
Opening Statement:
Loving Beyond the Surface requires continual effort and hard work, because at the heart of loving others is putting the other person ahead of you, and that is always a huge battle. Jesus and the New Testament as a whole and the apostle John never tired of exhorting us to love one another which by the way means your brothers and sisters in Christ.
Let's look first at what love means.
I) Biblical Love Goes Deeper Than the Surface.
The expanded version of the definition of love reads: Biblical love is a self-sacrificing, caring commitment that shows itself in seeking the highest good of the one loved. At its heart, biblical love is a commitment that is not without feeling; it is a caring commitment.
Since biblical love is a commitment, therefore, it may be commanded. In fact,
II) Jesus Commands Christian to love One Another. (1 John 3:11)
The command to love one another comes from the lips of Jesus, (John 13:34-35). Jesus instructed his followers to love one another. It is basic and fundamental to a believers' walk with Christ. Then, Jesus gives the world permission to judge whether one is a follower of Jesus simply on the basis of their love for each other.
The absence of love in the life of a believer is inconsistent with the message of love that has been commanded by Jesus. Christian love is foundational to being a child of God. In fact,
III) Loving One Another is Evidence of salvation. (1 John 3:14-15)
With John there are only two classifications the spiritually alive or the spiritually dead, the child of God or the child of the devil, the believer or the unbeliever. Everyone belongs to one or the other. One of the evidences that someone is a believer is their love for one another.
But how do I know what love is?
IV) Jesus Illustrated His Love Through His Sacrifice. (1 John 3:16)
If you want a portrait of love, look to the life of Jesus. He illustrated love by the life he lived. It's as though Jesus was asked how much do you love humans? And He stretched out his arms and said, "This much."
Does that mean that I must make the ultimate sacrifice to show my love for someone else? Maybe, but most often,
V) Real Love Is Expressed Though Actions. (1 John 3:16-18)
Let's face it, most of us will not be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice, but we can make small sacrifices of love each day.
A) Christian Love Is Personal.
John speaks of brothers, plural, in verse 16, but makes a deliberate and significant change in verse 17 when he speaks of brother, singular. He knew then what we often say today: It is easier to love the church than to love the person sitting across the aisle.
B) Christian Love is Practical.
John says love always expresses itself in action. To love in word means simply to talk about a need, but to love in action means to do something about meeting that need.
In Closing:
If people are judging our Christian faith on the basis of our love for one another, are we passing the test? Do we show the sign, the mark of a Christian, of loving one another? What would people say about our church? Will they say: They love one another?
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