It is very common these days for loved ones to say, “I love you” with a response of “I love you too.” This usually occurs as one is departing or is about to hang up the phone. This, of course, is a good thing. It is also something that didn’t happen in my childhood home (which may explain some things).
What if we came face-to-face with Jesus and told him that we love him? How would He respond? When we consider what He did for us, He hardly needs to say He loves us too! After all, He taught us, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). Christ did even more than this because He gave His life for all, including those who hate Him.
I think Christ would say, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Many today don’t acknowledge anything like commandments when they think of Jesus. They profess to love and follow Christ but “feel” that faith is simply accepting who He is. They confuse faith with mere belief. Faith as described in the Bible compels God’s followers to act. See Hebrews 11 for many examples. These heroes of faith left their homes, built an ark and defied kings. They exhibited faith by acting on their belief.
Since Christ tells us to keep His commandments, we must determine what these commandments require. Most everyone reading this knows the steps in the plan of salvation. However, once we are added to His Kingdom we must become servants and love like Jesus. This includes loving one another (John 15:17). This love binds us together as God’s family. For this reason, the elders chose “Consider One Another” as our theme for this year.
Let’s love one another, build each other up and follow His commandments.
For the elders,
Dave Benner