John offers a powerful definition of love in the sixth verse of our text for today. He writes, "...love means living the way God commanded us to live. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is this: Live a life of love." (NCV) Inherent in this definition is obedience, a receptive heart, and the courage to act. Living as God commanded is surrendering self, yielding in obedience to the One who created you in God's own image. A receptive heart is a listening heart, learning the great truths of God's word, from beginning to end. The courage to act means allowing the Spirit of God to lead and guide you to places, people, and circumstances where you will be used to make a difference.
As we come to these last days of our Lenten journey, we come nearer the cross, viewing a clearer image of love as defined by the One who willingly allowed himself to be nailed there as payment for your sin and mine. John's definition fits Christ's action..."love means living the way God commanded us to live." I believe Jesus Christ did this, yielding his own will to that of his heavenly Father. As we now come closer to the cross, Christ calls out to us through John's words, "Live a life of love." That is our Lenten imperative for today.
Jim Abernathy
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