Brethren, we must endeavour to walk in the Spirit of the sacrificial love of God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ by obeying His commandment on Love: The first is “thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength” and the second is “thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”. We must consider that “there is none other commandment greater than these”, hence GREATER is LOVE. (Mark 12:30-31; Leviticus; 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:5).
4.1. THE STANDARD FOR ‘GREATER LOVE’
The standard for loving God is absolute, we must love God with all out being, heart, soul, mind and strength. We must not compare anything to God or put anything above the interest of God.
It relation to loving each other, the standard of love is that “thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”. This means that “all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them…” (Mark 12:31; Matthew 7:12).
Jesus gives us a clue to the love we might demonstrate for each other: “That ye love one another, as Christ have loved you”. (John 15:12 & 17).
The love then should be selfless, enabling of the other of some benefit, kindness or goodness, must not be evil , vengeful or boastful, must demonstrate in ‘willing -giving’ and in forbearance, forgiveness and mercy and must be borne out of a desire or one’s willingness to follow God’s commandment.
4.2. ASSURANCE IN GREATER LOVE
Your assurance is that no matter how difficult or trying it may be to demonstrate this manner of love to our parents, children, families, friends, colleagues, communities and groups, we should endure believing that God has endow on us his power in the Holy Spirit overcome to do his will.
Therefore, as you celebrate the festive season in recognition of the Love of God revealed by the sacrifice of His Passover offering for the remission of our sins and deliverance, let us endeavour to keep His commandment of Love.
For “If ye keep [His] commandments, ye shall abide in [His] love; even as [he has kept His] Father’s commandments, and abide in His love … and [His] joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full”. (John 15:10-11)
PRAYER
