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Love Changes Us
by Kristenea M. LaVelle (Kristenea's bio)
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"As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love." John 15:9
"This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you."
John 15:12
"These things I command you, that ye love one another." John 15:17
Jesus made the connection that in order to remain in Him, we must continue to love one another, just as He has loved us. This is not just a suggestion, but a commandment that Jesus left for us to follow. The impact of this commandment became a marker that distinguished the disciples of Christ from among all other men, as illustrated by this passage:
"A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:34-35
In order for us to follow this commandment, we must remain in His love. That means that we must set our affections on Jesus and place Him as Lord in our lives. As we do this, it is His love that flows through us and causes a transformation in our hearts to take place, and we are changed "…from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Cor. 3:18.
And we know that, "…if we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us." 1 John 4:12
This has great impact in the life of believers and this is why the Word instructs us to:
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15
Because… "the whole world lieth in wickedness." 1 John 5:19
Instead, Paul exhorts us to "Set your affections on things above, not on things of the earth." Col. 3:2. And to think on these things:
"…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise…" Phil. 4:8
In so doing, we will become or reflect these things instead of the things of the world and the love of the Father will remain in us enabling us to carry out the command to "love one another".
In direct contrast, the unsaved reflect the things which they have come to love. One look at present day advertising will tell you exactly what the world is looking for. Our society embraces such things as greed, envy, vanity, drinking and reveling, gambling, sexual immorality, adultery, pride and arrogance. All these things work to transform and mold the hearts of the unsaved, for this is what they have set their affections upon. And the Bible supports this fact:
"And this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil."
John 3:19
"When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth…" Proverbs 29:16
Because of this love of wickedness, "…evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." 2 Timothy 3:13
We, as Christians, need to be especially aware of this as the coming of our Lord and Savior draws closer. Jesus warned us that in the end, "…because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold." Matthew 24:12. As we grieve over the increase in ungodliness and wickedness that is so prevalent in our world today, it is easy for our love for the unsaved to wax cold. That is what we must guard our hearts and mind against. If we remain connected to the vine, and we fulfill the command to love one another, then our love will increase and we will show ourselves as witnesses and disciples of Jesus Christ. That is what the world needs to see, for that is what will draw them to come out of the darkness into the Light of life.
In closing ask yourself these questions: Does my life reflect the changes Jesus has made in my heart? Do I reflect that love to my brothers and sisters in Christ, and to the unsaved around me?
Copyright 2002, Kristenea M. LaVelle. All Rights Reserved. Used by permission.
| About Kristenea M. LaVelle: I am a wife of 10 years and a homeschooling mother of five dedicated to teaching and living the truth of Jesus Christ. David and I make our home in Spokane, Washington where we can serve our family and friends with the love of Christ. It was through His direction that I began writing and found myself on a fascinating new journey in life. Now my joy is made complete by writing for Him and about Him. E-mail Kristenea |
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