Oluwamuyiwa Okuseinde
“For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another” (1 John 3:11).
Love is the central theme of Christian faith. We are told that God is love and everything He does is motivated by love. The Christian is called to follow in God’s footstep.
As a Christian, you should hate no man, even if you think they deserve to be hated. Having hatred in your heart for someone is like carrying the burden for the foolishness and misbehaviour of another. Besides, hating a person limits the possibility of your being used of God to communicate His love to that person.
Worse still, hating someone turns you into a murderer in the eyes of the Lord. God says whoever hates another person is a murderer and such are unworthy of eternal life (1 John 3:15). You may think that is farfetched, but you had better believed that God is right because He is, and He has the final say.
God commands us to love because He wants us to be like Him. Love hurts no one. Both you and the person you love can only derive positive benefits from a relationship transaction that is filled with love. Love engenders peace among people, just as it restored peace between God and man (John 3:16).
It is important to note also that God loved us enough to look beyond our sins to come down to the earth to die for us and save us from the damnation of hell. This is very instructive, showing us that true love won’t take account of wrongdoing (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). You don’t have to wait for people to deserve your love before you love them.
Beloved, you can decide to love simply because the love of God has been shed abroad in your heart (Romans 5:5). Receive grace today to walk in love always, in Jesus name.
~
FURTHER BIBLE READING: 1 JOHN 4:7-21.
~
EXERCISES
1. What new insight have you gained from the above message? Please write it down in your journal.
2. What would be your prayer points and what are the steps you will take?
3. If you have been blessed by this message, please share it with your friends and loved ones.
TODAY’S MESSAGE
TM20220130