Great Love

2 John 4-6 It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
 
WHAT do you think? Are only some people in the church walking in the truth? That seems to be John’s meaning in verse 4. But most believe the apostle is referring to people from the church or churches he had recently met face-to-face. It is unlikely he would express joy if only some of the people in the church were walking in faith.
   How is your walk? What would the apostle say of your relationship with Jesus and his church? Would he joyfully say that you walk in love?
   This is a difficult walk, isn’t it? “Love” is an active, personal relationship with others, and that’s not easy. To love others means you must submit yourself to others’ needs. If someone is sick, you may need to get food for him, sit with him or help with work around his home. If someone needs money, you may have to give of your earnings, so she can have food. Love means helping someone repair his front door or comforting someone who mourns.
   Love is hard. It means forgiving when you don’t want to and being patient when your patience has run out. Love is telling someone to stop his sin and get right with God. True love has consequences. Someone may reject your love that wants to help. People will likely separate themselves from you because you love them enough to tell them about their sin and Jesus’ salvation.    
   Some of you may live where such love can cause you to be persecuted. Some love others so deeply, they are martyred for their love.
   And isn’t that kind of love the foundation of our faith? This is the true Jesus love we have been called to do for one another.
   To walk in love is never a command about simply being nice to people. Walking is action that requires energy and strength. Walking in love fortifies your love and moves forward with purpose into a deeper faith.
   In the same manner, when a church walks in sacrificial love, it is a purposeful body gaining strength. A church that walks in love with Jesus trusts Jesus’ love. You are willing to extend your boundaries into new ministries. You look for opportunities to love others, so you can magnify Christ to those lost in despair. Remember, love  always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:7-8a)