2John 6 (NKJV) — 6 This is love, that we walk according to His
commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the
beginning, you should walk in it.
The commandment has not changed. It is the same commandment we had
from the beginning. We are to love. There were false teachers who wanted
to teach in her church or to use the church for their own purposes.
The lady stood firm and refused to allow false teachings in the church. She
was criticized. How does John say we should respond to criticism?
“Christians must love one another. No matter what is said about you, no
matter how you are treated, or mistreated. No matter how great the hurt,
the Christian must love.”
Leviticus 19:18 tells us, “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any
grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor
as yourself: I am the Lord.
Jesus tells us His love would be the distinctive mark of His followers. In John
13:35, Jesus says, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have
love for one another.”
The follower of Christ is to love, period. We are to make no distinction in
love. We are to love those who: mistreat us, ignore us, criticize us, hate us,
neglect us, are unkind to us, hurt us. How can we love those who would
treat us? We must love as God loves. We must possess the love of God
within our hearts and lives.
The love of God is selfless love, the love demonstrated by Christ on the
cross. It is the love of God for the ungodly. Romans 5:6 “For when we were
still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”
The love of God is for the unworthy. Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates
His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
The love of God is for our enemies. Romans 5:10 (NKJV) — 10 For if
when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His
Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Romans 5:5 (NKJV) — 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love
of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given
to us.