1 John 3:11: We Should Love One Another

1 John 3:11
[11] For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. (ESV)

One of the things that sets Christianity apart from other religions is it's message of love.  We are given the greatest example of love in the one that we follow, Jesus Christ.  It is important for us to be reminded of the message that we heard from the beginning.  That message is one of sacrificial love. Consider again just how wonderful the love of the Savior is.

Romans 5:6–8
[6] For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—[8] but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (ESV)

The message that we have heard from the beginning is one of sacrificial love.  Jesus died for the ungodly.  There is no other religion where the God of that religion sacrifices its very self for his followers.  Even more incredible is that our God sacrificed himself for those who had not yet even believed in him.  We were still weak, ungodly, and sinners. That is truly amazing love.

All of that is important because as John tells us that we should love one another we need to know how to love and in what measure.  So, as you consider the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ, the message of love from the beginning, how should you love your neighbor?  SACRIFICIALLY and WITHOUT RESERVATION.  Our example is Jesus Christ.  We are to love like he loved. That is the message we have heard from the beginning.

How are you doing at loving your brother?  It's not always easy.  Remember that God will never ask you to do what he is not able to equip you to do.  Ask for his help.  His Holy Spirit will empower you.