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2 Tim, 1, 2, 3 John, Jude


In the books 1-3 John, John talks a lot about the commandment we have received to love one another. I think we all know about this commandment, but do we truly know the meaning of this commandment deep inside?

For example, it’s one thing to read books and watch videos about war; it’s another thing entirely to go to war. It’s one thing to hear about the Grand Canyon; it’s another thing entirely to view it yourself. An experience is always superior to simply having knowledge. So, does that mean we have to string ourselves up on a cross to understand love? I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I could pull that one off more than once.

We can find the answer in I John 2:7-8. To paraphrase John, he says “When I tell you guys to love one another, I’m not telling you anything new. But even though it’s an old truth, it’s been given new life! Jesus lived this truth, and since we watched Him do it, we get to live this truth too.”

It wasn’t just Jesus dying on the cross that showed us love. His whole life was love. Why could John say in I John 4:8 that God is love? Because He walked with Jesus and realized what God was really like, because Jesus was “God with skin on”.

Simply put, if we know Jesus, we know how to follow God’s commands and be just like Him. How would Jesus treat your friend? How would Jesus reach out to your co-worker?

When we spend enough time in His presence to know how He loves us, it’s a whole lot easier to do it ourselves. Let us not merely look at Jesus’ recorded life as a cookbook to loving others, but also seek intimacy with the One that defined love with His life. Then we can truly be “Jesus with skin on” to those we are called to.

Today's Blogger: Tim Chapman

Tomorrow's Text: Rev. 1:1-11:19