“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.” (2 John 1:6)

Moses is preparing the people of Israel to enter the Promised Land. He reminds them of God’s love for their ancestors and for them. “But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors that he brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the land of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” (Deuteronomy 7:8-9) With God’s love being expressed to them, they were to love Him expressed through their obedience to Him as they trusted Him. “For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.” (Deuteronomy 30:16) If the people had been walking in His love, they would have experienced all His blessings. Even after they turned from His love God continued with His promise of Love.

His promise continued and continues now because He has sent to us His love through Jesus Christ. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Those who come to Him by faith will receive eternal life and an abundant life. To live in this life, we are to express our love for Him through our obedience. “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:3-4) Jesus taught us, “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.” (John 14:21) When we express our love for God, God is able to reveal Himself to us and help us to know Him more. “Jesus replied, ‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.’” (John 14:23) This is also heard in the prayer of Jesus, “I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” (John 17:26)

It all starts in God’s love for us. His love is exhibited in Jesus Christ. Through His love we come to faith in Jesus Christ. As we live our lives as children of God and disciples of Jesus Christ, we are to walk in love being obedient that the others may see God’s love through us.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block