My friends,
Since God loves us so much, is there any doubt or confusion that we ought to love each other?
Not even one of us has ever seen God.
But if we truly love each other (not lust or codependency or mutually beneficial, transactional or manipulative behavior — but committed, faithful and sacrificial love for others) — isn’t it clear that God lives in those of us who live this way, and that His love is brought to full bloom and full expression of His Spirit alive within us?
Is it an offensive claim for some to hear us say that — God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and that He lives in us?
Is it an even more offensive claim for some to hear us testify that — the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world, and that all who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God?
If we know how much God loves us, then we have put our trust in his love. We know that God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows and blooms more perfectly in His love.
If we love one another, if we love both our friends and our enemies, showing mercy and forgiveness and love eagerly to all, then we have nothing to fear and only an electable of more opportunities to show this love while we still breathe.
And if we love one another, we will not be afraid after our last breath, because even facing a day of judgment, we can face him with confidence because we live and live others like Jesus gave us the example here in this world.
This love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we were afraid, it would have been because we feared punishment, but this would reveal that we have not yet fully experienced his perfect love.
We do not teach fear, we teach love. We do not live out of fear, we live out of love.
And we love each other because he loved us first.
If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, hates a family member, hates a neighbor, hates another person, hates an “enemy” — that person is a liar.
If we refuse to love people that we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?
He has given us this command: Those who love God must also love one another.
And for those who misunderstand or wish to twist this to justify their fear or hatred for some and their preference for some — Jesus has made it clear. We must love not only those who are like us, but we must love our neighbor, we must love those in need, we must love those who are undeserving, and we must love even our enemies.
This is how God has loved us who have all at one time or another proven ourselves enemies of God — yet He has loved us and shown us a different path along The Way — a life that abides and grows in His love. Amen.
Harold J. Ballinger 