John's One Message

When the apostle John was very old, he often had to be carried into their meetings. According to tradition, as they carried him, he always had only one thing to say, "Little children, love one another."

Wearied by his constant repetition of these words, they asked him why he always said the same thing. "Because," he replied, "it is the Lord's commandment, and if it only be fulfilled, it is enough."

Peter wrote, "Above all, love" (1 Peter 4:7). St. Paul said, "The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love" (Galatians 5:6).

I talked to a lady who quit going to church. "I didn't feel loved any more," she gave as her reason. 

I've asked myself, "Would I be acting differently if I didn't love her? What am I doing that tells her I care?" 

Unexpressed love is often interpreted as no love.

Expressing love is a matter of being sensitive to God's Spirit. When we're listeners to the Holy Spirit, our hearts will teach us what to say and when to act so love is expressed. 

Teach me, Jesus, to love with a passion that is from You. 

"Love is patient and kind...Love does not demand its own way...Love never gives up" (1 Corinthians 13:4, 5, 7 NLT).

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him" (1 John 4:7-9).