Love; A bonding Force

By Roseline Shola

Devotional Reading: “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another: as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” John 13:35 KJV

Most folks today do not really understand this commandment. The passage is direct and quite instructive. Jesus said to the disciples to love one another “as” he has loved them. This suggests to me that there is a particular pattern that must be followed.

Many believers today think loving others is about calling someone a brother or a sister, fellowshipping in prayers and words or even sharing the gospel with others. All of these are good as they strengthen the bond of love but that’s not all.

There is no love without sacrifice. Yes! Sacrifice! What can you let go for the betterment of that person? Jesus gave up all He was ever entitled to because of the love he had for us. We must understand this love of the Father to be able to love others.

The love of the Father is generous, sacrificial, overwhelming and much more; this is what our love for the brethren should be modeled after. I John 3:16 says, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

What can you lay down for that brother/sister? The scriptures describes the early church brethren as having everything in common, no one says this is mine— This is the love we’re talking about. It withholds nothing!

Prayer and confession
Love is my God-given nature, I exhibit love with ease because I’m a true son of my father. Amen

Further reading: I John 3:18, Acts 4:32-37
Reading Old Testament Bible Stories: Judges 4-5 (Deborah as a Judge)