Why love others?

Jesus not only mentioned the two commandments that are at the heart of the law, but He tells us, "A new commandment I give you: that you love one another." in John chapter 13. 1 John 4 is connected to this passage in John's Gospel. Although he and his brother were called the "sons of Thunder," the apostle John became the apostle of love.

According to historical accounts, John was the last of the apostles to die, dying of natural causes at a very old age. It is said that all the other apostles died as martyrs, but John remained alive. He lived in Ephesus and, due to his advanced age, had to be carried to meeting places. So John continued to preach and spread the word of God. His message was simple yet powerful; whenever he spoke, he continually said this: “My little children, love one another. Love one another. Love one another.” The one who was once known as the “son of thunder” became the apostle of love. John’s transformation is a testament to the power of God’s grace to change even the hardest hearts.

Jesus, nearing the end of his life, Judas having already left to betray him, stayed with the remaining eleven and entrusted them with important things. Look at what he said to them: “My little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Jews, so now I tell you: where I am going you cannot come. A new commandment I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

Jesus' love is total, and He asks us to show the same love to others. This doesn't mean we demean ourselves and allow ourselves to be mistreated. When people don't understand the true meaning of biblical words, they take things to the extreme. God loved us, but He also disciplined us. He loved us so much that He gave Himself for us. But the Word of God tells us that through His love, He also disciplines us. The one the Father disciplines is the one He loves. Therefore, God's love is not permissive. It is a choice to do good to others, to sacrifice oneself, to give oneself for the happiness of others.

Discover in this message why you should love others.

1. We have been commanded to love
2. This confirms your love for God and your knowledge of God's Word
3. Jesus confirms that it is the second commandment which, with the first, to love God, summarizes the law and the prophets.
4. Love is the fulfillment of the law.
5. This is how we are imitators of Christ.
6. This is the new commandment that Jesus gives us.
7. Love is the only thing that matters.

Quotes

1. “Loving the Lord is an assurance of sustainability.”
2. “Don’t give in to what you feel, decide what you feel.”
3. “You cannot love God in your imagination [but] in reality.”
4. “If we think so little of God, it is because we think little of Him.”
5. “You cannot love God if you forget the cross.” 
6. “Instead of thinking about all your problems, think about your salvation.”
7. “How to love God? The first thing is to receive God's love. “
8. “There are 3 ways to receive God's love, among others, confessing His love, meditating on His love, confessing our love for Him, meditating on what the word says about it, holding on to it firmly, praying for the revelation of this love of Christ...“
9. “You can't constantly think about what Jesus has done for you without your heart being on fire! “
10. “Keep wonder at Jesus' work on our behalf, as we contemplate His goodness through the cross.“
11. “It is true that redemption has gone out of fashion in the modern church. We must just talk about blessing, we must just talk about favor. What favor comes to an ungrateful people who despise their Savior, who despise the blood that was shed for them?“
12. "LPeople run from church to church seeking favor and run from church to church, seeking miracles and… heThey are being fleeced by individuals who claim to be servants of God, but who have nothing but their stomachs for God. They are becoming increasingly desperate because they refuse to sit down and contemplate the One who paid for their salvation and to honor and serve Him. They just want to continue taking things from Him, but never give Him their love.“
13. “If you don't give your heart to the Lord, there are situations in your life where you're going to be so helpless because you haven't built a relationship with God based on that love. You're going to be so helpless. Someone is going to take advantage of you.“
14. “QWhen you tell your children about God's blessings, they will love the Lord... When all they hear you do is complain about your problems, your situation … You are creating children who will have no faith in God. So can I say to parents again, do not destroy your children's faith because you do not want to move forward. If you do not want to know God, at least refrain from saying negative things in front of your children. But if you contemplate the goodness of God, and if you talk to them about it, they will love the Lord.“
15. “No one can say: “Yes, but I am like that, I am not someone who loves”, No, no, we all have access to the love of God, we all have the possibility of loving God, and of loving others.”