Proposal or command?
And so I ask you, dear Lady: let us all love one another. This is no new command I am writing to you; it is the command which we have had from the beginning. This love I speak of means that we must live in obedience to God’s commands. The command, as you have all heard from the beginning, is that you must all live in love. (verses 5,6)
Read 2 John 1-13
It’s pretty exciting to get a love letter from someone you love. But how would you feel if the love letter you received was all about commands and obedience?
John couldn’t be clearer. He is not making an avowal of personal love. He is appealing to something that is greater than the writer and the reader. This love is not a fragile love. It is bold and compelling. It is such a strong love that it does not seek its own gratification, as our love usually does. This love, which commands us to go along with it, is intent on bringing others together. This love is not satisfied with uniting two. God’s love is pulling everyone together.
God loves you greatly. God loves others no less. You will realise more of God’s love as you comply with his will to love others.
Lord of love, you love me completely. You love others completely. Help me to discover more of your love by obeying your command to love. Amen.
by Peter Pfitzner, in ‘Assurance for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2004)
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