The Example Of Love

John 13:34

Jesus came to earth not only to tell us of God’s love, but demonstrate his love as well. Jesus is not only the greatest expression of love, he is also the greatest example of it. “Just as I have love you, so you love one another.”

The greatest tendency for us is to forget and take advantage of God’s gift of love to us and fail to extend it to others. At the close of the Old Testament the Prophet Malachi opened his prophecy by sharing God’s word to the people with an emphatic statement and indifferent response by the people. God said “I have loved you, says the Lord.” But the people responded by saying “In what way have you loved us?” (1:3) Israel had become so indifferent to God’s love and that indifference had extended out towards one another. The result was the lowest spiritual point Israel had experienced since the return from Babylon.

At the end of the First century, John writes the book of Revelation and the last words to the Church of Ephesus was, “You have left your first love.” (Revelation 2:4) Their works were commendable, their doctrine sound, but their love had faded.

Love is usually the first of our emotions to go when we began our spiritual decline. I believe thats why Jesus talked about love more the week before he died than he did the three and half years leading up to this time. So what kind of love did he love them with?

• Unconditional Love

• Patient Love

• Protective Love

• Brotherly Love

Why is love so important to God and us?

First of all, God is love. John in his first epistle coveys this great truth about God.

Second of all, love in action demonstrates the message of the Gospel and makes it much more effective.

Last of all, love covers the multitude of sins. The most effective way to win over a sinner to Christ is to love them the way Christ did; not for what they do, but who they are. Jesus died on the cross while we were sinners (Romans 5:8) to show the world that man has value to him. We must remember the most vile sinner is still made on the image and likeness of God, and was valuable enough for God to give his son.

One of the greatest compliments the first century church received by the unbelieving world was “How those Christians love one another!” In this time we are faced with challenges like we never experienced before, but the way we are most effective is by showing the world the love of Jesus and the best way to do that is that we do unto others as he has done unto us!

Pastor Robby