Love

I John 4:15-16 NTL 15 All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. 16 We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.

This is the essence of the New Covenant in Jesus' Blood. His commandment for this covenant is "Love one another". John 13:34-35 (NLT)34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John had grown in love, not only for His Lord, but for the children of God. He knew the necessity as well as the cost. His own opinion of how to follow Jesus and his opinion of how others were doing so could not influence or hinder the flow of God's Love through him to those for whom Jesus died. I am humbled by the depth of appreciation the apostles showed in their respect for the calling Jesus had given them. John's love for His Lord overflowed to the people to whom John ministered. The calling is the same for each of us: "Follow Me." What He asks of us as we follow is just a part of the following. Jesus never takes us where He does not go before.

The purpose of God to make us in the image of God is realized as we follow Jesus. He sent his disciples out into the field to do the works they had seen Him doing. He commanded them to love as He loved. Following Jesus is to answer the question, "What would Jesus do?" and then do it. He is the Way, so walk in it. As you follow, you come to know Him. Letting the Word of God abide in you, feeding your thoughts and emotions, guiding your feet and motivating your actions, until you find yourself abiding in Him. Jesus must never be an abstract truth to us. He must be alive in you. You are called to be witnesses of His Resurrection, not only with the words, but with His life shining through you! Love with His love.
I John 4:19 (NLT)19 We love each other because he loved us first.