CHRISTANITY: Commandment to love embodied

The Word of God in 1 John 4:19-21 challenges us to embody the love of Christ in every interaction and relationship. The first truth that John presents us with is foundational: “We love because he first loved us.” Our capacity to love is not something that originates from within ourselves; it is a response to the love that God has already shown us, especially through Jesus Christ. Understanding this divine love is crucial, for it is not earned by our actions or merits but is a free and generous gift. This love is unconditional, sacrificial, and transformative. John starkly points out a profound inconsistency in the claim of some who say they love God while harbouring hatred towards others. To dislike, despise, or hate another person while claiming to love God is, John says, a lie. Love and hate cannot coexist in the heart of a believer because true love for God transforms our hearts and extends to others. John brings a practical dimension to this understanding. He argues that if we struggle to love those we can see, how can we love God, whom we have not seen? This is not just a rhetorical question but a spiritual reality check. Our actions and attitudes towards others reflect our true relationship with God. To love God means to love His image in every person we meet. The Commandment of Love. John reinforces that this is not merely a suggestion but a commandment: “Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” This commandment is binding and is reflective of the very nature of God Himself, who is love. It challenges us to examine how we treat others, how we speak to and about them, and how we think of them in our hearts. Living out this love is not always easy. It demands patience, humility, forgiveness, and often, a radical change in our attitudes and actions. It calls for us to look beyond our prejudices, our grievances, and our desires, to see others as God sees them, valuable and worthy of love.