Discipleship: Day 3
1 Co.8:3. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
1 John 4:7. Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
The Apostle Paul said that if we love God we are known by Him. The Apostle John said if we love we are born of God and know God. Loving God and knowing God go hand in hand. If you don’t love God, you can not know Him, and if you do not know Him you can not love Him. You might say well, I love God. However, the Word tells us what loving God is.
Jn:15:12: "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Jn:15:17: "These things I command you, that you love one another.
If we don’t love one another we don’t love God. Jesus said in John’s Gospel;
Jn.14:15. "If you love Me, keep My commandments.
And what is God’s commandment?
John 15:9. "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
- 10. "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
- 11. "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
- 12. "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Jesus said this is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. He didn’t say this a suggestion. NO, He said this is my commandment! It is not optional!
One dictionary says a commandment is a law, an edict, or statue. In other words, this is non-negotiable. He made it a commandment so that it would be that strong. This is serious business to our Father. It is a command. If it were not a commandment, we would not pay as much attention to it. You see, it is in our best interest if we obey. When we obey we are walking in love, when we are walking in love, we are walking in Him, and can only have true fellowship with Him only when that happens.
Confession:
I love God and am known by Him. I abide in His love and keep His commandments.
I love my brothers and sisters in Christ, and am born of God, and know God.