All You Need is Love
2 John 1:6 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
6And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
Although the sixties are fading further into history, those of us for whom they were formative years, will remember the slogan, "Make Love Not War," and the song, "All You Need is Love," by the Beatles,one of many "Hippie Anthems." We were idealists, our heads in the clouds in many ways.
"Love" back then was a word that stood for something, but looking back I wonder what. The word was a rallying point; it sounded and felt good and right.
There were important differences that were made in the sixties; the Civil Rights movement was paid for with the blood of courageous men and women, but there were many of us who were simply in love with "love."
The apostle John in his letters, writes about a love that is tougher; not "tough love" in the accepted sense of the phrase, but love that demands something of us; that we move out of our comfort zones; that we take the blows, die to self, serve humbly and are willing to sacrifice for the sake of others. This love isn't ethereal, but strong as steel. That's the love I'd love to have. "What the World Needs Now is Love," is true, but there's only one place that real love can be found.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I will never get tired of the adventure of following you. There is no easy, boring, hum-drum pew to merely sit in, but a white water rafting challenge to engage in. I'm up for the ride Lord. Show me how to follow all the way; clear my blind spots and strengthen my weak places; build spiritual muscle in me.
1 John 3:16-18 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
6And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
Although the sixties are fading further into history, those of us for whom they were formative years, will remember the slogan, "Make Love Not War," and the song, "All You Need is Love," by the Beatles,one of many "Hippie Anthems." We were idealists, our heads in the clouds in many ways.
"Love" back then was a word that stood for something, but looking back I wonder what. The word was a rallying point; it sounded and felt good and right.
There were important differences that were made in the sixties; the Civil Rights movement was paid for with the blood of courageous men and women, but there were many of us who were simply in love with "love."
The apostle John in his letters, writes about a love that is tougher; not "tough love" in the accepted sense of the phrase, but love that demands something of us; that we move out of our comfort zones; that we take the blows, die to self, serve humbly and are willing to sacrifice for the sake of others. This love isn't ethereal, but strong as steel. That's the love I'd love to have. "What the World Needs Now is Love," is true, but there's only one place that real love can be found.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I will never get tired of the adventure of following you. There is no easy, boring, hum-drum pew to merely sit in, but a white water rafting challenge to engage in. I'm up for the ride Lord. Show me how to follow all the way; clear my blind spots and strengthen my weak places; build spiritual muscle in me.
1 John 3:16-18 (New International Version)
New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society
16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
Comments
Alex
I once heard someone say that "we are following someone who is notoriously unpredictable." I've found it so!
Belinda