Dear Christian friends:

God expects the members of a Christian Church to love one another. It is not easy to do this! Where can we get the power to love one another in our home and church? John says:


This is not the love that we find in the world. The world, too, loves, and one can find love in the world. The world means those who are without God. Those that have not found Him or have rejected Him.

Instead of loving God the world loves itself and seeks to satisfy the desires of the selfish heart, "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life." Take lust of the flesh. Why does a worldling (One who is absorbed by worldly pursuits and pleasures) marry? They are most beautiful and most sexy; not the one with the most character etc. Everything the worldling does he does for his own good, never thinking of God or the welfare of his neighbor.

Working he does not think of improving the boss's business, but how much he earns. The boss likewise exploits the worker. Even charity is done to further his own honor and pride. Or if he is a church member he goes because it is respectable and helps in his business.

Look at our ads. They appeal to charity and patriotism. All appeal to lust and pride. None to love of God or people. Even the church often appeals to man's lust and pride to get him to join and work in the church.

The love of self, lust and pride is not found in God. These are not signs (proofs) of life but of death. (1 John 2:17) Instead of helping us love our brother they block it and bring down the wrath of God. A proud greedy person cheats, lies and steals to get success in his evil desires. Ahab, David, You? Neglecting the poor and needy! Neglecting our duty to man and God to satisfy one's self ambition. This leads to death. Finally God judges and condemns.

So we should not seek love in this world no matter how much that tempts our selfish pride. The love we need is found in God. This is the love that God gives through Jesus.

To have God's power for love we need to hear again and again that our sin's are forgiven for Jesus' sake. (1 John 2:12) As little children love to hear the same stories again and again, so we Christians love to hear again and again the love of God that our sins are hidden and the new life in God can appear. "God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." (1 John 4:11)

This love working in us assures us that we are forgiven children of God. John knew they were children of God. (1 John 2:13-14) How? By their works of love. Regardless of age we Christians have this wonderful experience. It does not depend on self-power or self-decision, but by God's own great power. He who made us and redeemed us. "from the beginning" our God is and "Ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you." (1 John 2:14)

"In this world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." says Jesus in John 16:33. Note He says, "I have over the world and be of good cheer." Odd isn't it? How does His victory become ours? By faith, Christ is living in us and gives us the love and courage to suffer and sacrifice for the brother.

We say Jesus, my Savior, saved others, so must I, and I do, Jesus forgive me; Jesus help me. There are many different demands on our love from the brethren: loneliness, sickness, visiting, prayer, correction, admonishing, etc. But there is only one power for loving. That power is our God who loved us first, while we hated Him, and gave His Son for our sins. Such a God is too wonderful! We can't help it! We must love, too so that His love is successful in our lives too and accomplishes His good and kind purpose.

So let us beware that the selfish, proud world is against us. The devil is too and our own proud heart constantly tries to kill God's love. Stay joined to His love and you will succeed!

Amen.