A Love More Than Emotion
2 John 1:1-13
This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it. [2 John 1:6]
The commandment that John refers to is love. It is a new commandment that Jesus gave just before the Cross: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” [John 13:34] Jesus said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." [John 13:35]. He then went to the Cross to pay the price for your and my sins. “Greater love has no one than this; than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” [Jn 15:13] "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” [Jn 3:16]
Love is the supreme mark of the child of God. If we claim to know God then we must know love, because “God is love” [1 Jn 4:8]. Love is not merely an emotion. God’s love [apage], while it involves emotion; it is not based on it. The foundation of agape is truth, purity, and commitment. And true love fulfills the commandments of God. “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” [Matt 5:17]
Perfect love came in the Person of Jesus Christ and lived in perfect harmony with God’s law. During His earthly ministry, Jesus fulfilled every part of the Law [even the very heart of the Law; see the Sermon on the Mount, Matt 5- 7], and in so doing revealed to us what true love is.
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” [Jn 14:15] “But why do you call Me
'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?” [Luke 6:46]
Simply put, love is more than words. One cannot say, “I love my wife or husband or children,” and not be committed to them. Love and commitment are inseparable.
The greatest way that you can show your love for God is commit yourself to Him and do what He says. If Jesus is truly Lord [Master], then I will do those things that He has commanded me to do.
