In the teaching of the apostles, its not enough to speak loving words to people in need. Practical help is required. It cost God a great deal to send Jesus to pay for our sins. That is the nature of God’s love.
1Jn 2:9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.
1Jn 2:10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
1Jn 2:11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
To love one another as Jesus loved us is the most important commandment. It is only possible if we live through the power of the Holy Spirit and renew our minds with the Word of God.
There's no doubt in my mind that Jesus Christ calls all his followers today to a life of self-denial, however its important to realize that this is not self-denial for the sake of self-denial.
Just as an athlete denies himself many enjoyable things over a period of time in order to be the best and hopefully win a gold medal and enjoy the rewards that will follow, so we are called to self-denial with a view to ETERNAL REWARDS that will most certainly follow.
“Therefore, be imitators of God, as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fiiting for saints” (Ephesians 5:1-3).
When we speak of “love” here, we mean the kind of love that God has for us. Its a self-sacrificing love that endures personal pain and seeks the benefit of the other person.
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