How do we know if we really love others as Jesus said to love them? Is there some kind of measure that gives us indication? Is there a chart of approval that should we comply with certain standards it would make us know that we are indeed lovers of the children of God? If we have been reading and studying the book of First John for very long at all we know that we should love God and love others, but how do we know when we accomplish this? Today John makes it very clear in the fifth chapter of First John and verse two. He wrote:
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
Here is how we know that we love the children of God. First, “when we love God.” Do we love God? Really, do we love God? Is He foremost in our thoughts first thing in the morning? Do we think of Him during our days? Is He the last thought as we go to sleep at night? Do we live our lives according to the way He desires for us to live rather than our own? Are we God directed or self directed? More than likely each of us needs to examine ourselves in these areas to discover the truth, and indeed we would do well to do so.
Secondly, do we “keep his commandments”? When we ascribe to love God and others, the commandments of God are directly involved. Take for example, the ten commandments. The first four have to do with our relationship with God..
- You shall have no other gods before me.
- You shall not make unto yourselves any graven image.
- You shall not take the Lord your God's name in vain.
- Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
Following these commandments shows our love for our Heavenly Father. The next six commandments have to do with our relationships with others.
- Honor your Father and Mother.
- You shall not kill.
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not bear false witness.
- You shall not covet.
Keeping or breaking each of these commandments will show us whether we love others or not. For example, if we love our parents, we will give them honor. We would not dare dishonor them. If we love another person, we will not want to kill him or her, nor would we desire to commit adultery with him or her. If we love others, we will not steal from them or lie about them, and rather than be desirous of what they have, we will be happy for them. These six commandments become a measure for how we are doing in our love toward others.
Let's face it. Today John has challenged us all with this verse, and may we examine our lives to determine whether we truly love God and love others as He has commanded us to do.
Next time we will examine the complexity of God's law and whether it is difficult to keep or not, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow...there is more...
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