Greetings beloved,
Let’s delve into how the apostle John, guided by the Holy Spirit, defines Love:
And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.
2 John 6
This scripture challenges our conventional understanding of love, emphasizing obedience to Christ’s commandments rather than mere emotions. John’s definition ties love directly to adherence to Christ’s teachings.In practicing love, we engage in daily obedience, as depicted by the term “walk” used by John. It’s a continuous commitment, not limited to our initial conversion, but a lifelong journey of submission to Christ’s commands.
Jesus himself stressed the connection between love and obedience, affirming, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments” — John 14:15
In the kingdom of God, love is measured by obedience, not just sentiment. One commentator aptly states,
“John defines love, not as a sentiment or an emotion, but as obedience to God’s commands.”
John MacArthur
John reminds us that this commandment isn’t new but has roots in Christ’s teachings from the beginning. It underscores Jesus Christ as the ultimate authority behind this definition.
Key takeaways:
- Definitions: Let’s align our understanding of love with the biblical definition.
- Walking: Love for Christ is demonstrated through daily obedience to His commands, empowered by the Holy Spirit within us.
- Daily submission: Obedience isn’t a one-time event but a continual surrender for every believer.
May we reconsider our perception of love through the lens of this verse.
With love, Paul
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