1 John 4:7
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.”
Love is the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37–40). According to Paul, every spiritual gift must operate from a foundation of love (1 Corinthians 13). Jesus presents love as the greatest evidence of discipleship (John 13:34–35). And we understand that God’s love is the motivation behind the gospel message. It was because of God’s supernatural, perfect love that He gave Himself to be sacrificed on our behalf (John 3:16). The Word of God reveals that love is the thread woven throughout the entire biblical narrative.
Yet the very thing that is elevated throughout Scripture is seldom found within the walls of the church. It is easy to point fingers and blame the culture for the evil we see running rampant in our streets today. But why should that surprise us? The systems of this world do not follow the teachings of Jesus. We cannot expect an unbeliever to follow the commandment to love, but we should expect it from the Christian. It is time for the Church to stop allowing the culture to be the influence. It is time for the Church to become the influence again.
Our God has called us to share His love in a world full of chaos, hatred, fear, and despair. Love is not the approval of sin; love is sharing the truth of God’s Word with a heart that genuinely cares for the dying soul. So let us not look for reasons to go with the flow of the culture. Instead, let us stand firm in our faith, sharing His love, His truth, and His way because He first loved us. It is not about perfection; it is about salvation.