This Is Love

2 John 1:6
“And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.”

True Christian love is one of the most misunderstood graces of the Christian life. Many see love through a worldly perception, and it is no wonder that those who look at love through the spectacles of the world’s philosophy continue to live in sin. When the believer sees and practices a scriptural love, you will see a believer no longer walking in sin. Does this mean that the believer will not sin? No, it does not; however, it does mean that the believer will love according to God’s Word. The verse above says, “And this is love…” God defines true love in His Word, and it is especially defined in the books of 1 and 2 John. Let me show you how these books define Christian love.

First, Christian love establishes rules. God says, “And this is love, that we walk after his commandments…” There can be no love without commandments. To say you love someone and not have rules and boundaries by which to live is foolishness. True love establishes commandments to live by which will keep those you love from doing things that will harm them. Living within the confines of God’s commandments are not grievous when you realize that they are keeping you from the touch of sin’s destruction. My friend, to say you love someone and not establish rules by which to live is not true love. If you truly love someone, you will define clear boundaries and commandments.

Second, Christian love enforces consequences. You cannot have commandments if there are no consequences for breaking them. A commandment is not a rule if there is no consequence for breaking the rule. Consequences establish commandments. If you truly love someone, you will follow through with the consequence of broken rules no matter how hard it may be. Consequences have a way of revealing the pain of crossing the line of commandments. A parent who truly loves their child will punish them when they cross the lines. Letting someone get away with breaking the rules is teaching them that there are no commandments, and where there are no commandments, there is no love.

Third, Christian love gets along with others. 1 John 3:14 says, “…He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” To say that you have God’s love and not get along with those around you is a farce. When a believer walks in Christian love, they can get along with those around them. This means that someone walking in Christian love gets along with their spouse, siblings, Christian brothers, and anyone whom they converse with throughout life. Being at ought with someone only reveals the believer’s lack of Christian love. Christian love doesn’t just get along with those who are agreeable, but it also gets along with those who are not friendly or pleasant towards them. The test of your Christian love is determined by how you get along with those who don’t treat you right.

Fourth, Christian love has no fear. 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear…” True love isn’t afraid to lose an investment of love and energy in others. In other words, true love is willing to forgive and invest in others without fear of wasting your time. When you walk in true Christian love, you will never fear that you are wasting your time in others; instead, you will enjoy the opportunity you have to invest in people to help them grow in the LORD. Let me ask you; are you practicing Christian love?

Author: Allen Domelle