LOVE: A VITAL EXPECTATION OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

“If anyone says, “I love God.”  yet hates his brother, he is a liar.  For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.  And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” I John 4: 20-21
One thing that is never in doubt is God’s love for His children. It is never in question and never on trial. We do not have to wonder or worry if He loves us. However, our love for Him is always in question. Our love is always on trial and always being challenged. The major factor responsible for this is the failure to obey or keep His commands on same subject of love.
Generally speaking, the entire world is in search of love. Many gospel and worldly singers have waxed various albums to help the world find love. These have been in vain because so many have failed to practice what they sing, say or stand for. While many do search wrong places and use wrong means, many Christians who are expected to know better and keep the commands of their Master are drowned in the ocean of self-centeredness. Many, who claim to have found God and confess their love for Him, are not ready to work for and with Him. They still struggle to fulfill the injunction in 1 John 4:21- And He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love his brother and sister.
What exactly is the word of God saying to us? Anyone who loves God must also love his brother and sister. Firstly, No one can love God without loving his or her neighbours. Our Lord Jesus Christ calls it the greatest commandment. He said “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” The straight forward analysis of this means, God is happy with only those who can meet this expectation. Secondly, Love is the believer’s identification mark. Jesus said, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (Jn. 13:35) It is a must for all His children to carry out the assignment or else they do not belong to His kingdom.
As a member of Christ’s church, His standard for you is to love even your enemies – that is those outside the fold.  He takes your love for the brethren for granted.  The question is “How many members of this church do you have problem showing love to?  Is there any member you have not as much as greeted since the beginning of this year?  Ask Him TODAY to give you the grace, strength and humility to take the first step towards reconciliation this week.  If your marriage is under strain, then knock on his bedroom door this night or remove the pillow separating you both on the bed.
Beloved, if we have truly received God’s love, why not spread it unconditionally? Why do we still allow the flesh to hinder us? Our God is not ready to negotiate for anything less than spreading His own type of love. Have you ever missed any opportunity to show God’s love to anyone or a group of people lately? Is anything too precious to you that you cannot share with the brethren? Have you ever been able to replicate God’s love to your generation?  God is able, willing and ready to help us to keep this important command. May you not miss your place in His kingdom as a result of pride.
Have a fruitful and productive week as you expend your energy not on hatred but on love for your neighbour.

Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
Igein Isemede