As Christians, we are called to love one another. But how do we know if we love each other the way we ought to? Our culture would tell us that loving others means that you accept them for who they are and you do not try to change them. While there is a nugget of truth in that (we can and should love others who are very different from us in many ways), it is a weak and watered-down view of love that is not biblical. This worldly view of love essentially says that if an action or belief hurts someone else’s feelings or suggests that someone is doing something wrong, then that action or belief is unloving. This is a very subjective view of love that roots the definition of love in feelings, not in truth or justice. According to John, there is a way to know whether or not we are loving other Christians. “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:1-3). The root and foundation for proper love toward other people is love for God and obedience to his commandments. That is to say, if we are not striving to obey God’s commands, we are not ready to properly love our fellow human beings. If we do not submit to God’s rule and authority, we are liable to approve of things that are wrong, all in the name of loving someone.

We can say this another way too. If we love God and keep his commandments then we are on the road to loving others the way we ought to. God commands us to honor everyone (1 Peter 2:17), tell the truth (Col. 3:9), work hard so that we can help the needy (Eph. 4:28), and get rid of wickedness in our lives (James 1:21). Imagine if everyone lived according to God’s commands! We would be so much better off! When we love God and keep his commandments, we are loving others in a way that honors God and is truly biblical love. Our culture has cut God and God’s commandments out of the picture. Is it a great wonder why we are so mixed up now about how to love our fellow human beings? Christian, this week you are going out into a world that is confused about what it means to love each other. Be the voice in the confusion that points people back to a better way, the true way. Point people to our just and holy God who gives us commandments that are true and just and good for us. His commandments are not burdensome; in fact, they give us true life. Let a searching world know that God loves them and that we love others properly when we love God and keep his commandments.