“And this commandment have we from him: That he who loveth God love his brother also.” (1 John 4:21)
If you subscribe to the Church’s “daily verse,” then you know that today’s verse is John 4:21. In these few words, we find the heart of our religion and the core of our calling as disciples of Jesus Christ. The commandment is clear and simple: if we claim to love God, we must love our fellow human beings as well. This connection between our love for God and our love for one another is a divine requirement, an unbreakable bond that binds us as true, spiritual brothers and sisters.
When we seriously think about this commandment, it becomes evident that we cannot genuinely love God while harbouring hatred or resentment toward our brothers and sisters. It’s impossible to claim that we love our Creator if we are indifferent to the well-being of the people around us. Love for God and love for our neighbours are intertwined, like two branches of the same tree, drawing sustenance from the same roots.
Our Saviour Jesus Christ exemplified this commandment during His earthly ministry. He demonstrated love and compassion to the people whom the religious leaders of His time had forgotten, including the outcasts, the sinners, and the broken-hearted. He dined with tax collectors, healed the sick, and forgave those who had sinned. His love for humanity was boundless and without conditions. By following His example, we too can become vessels of God’s love for everyone we meet.
I realise that expressing our love for everyone we meet is much easier said than done. How do we put this commandment into practice in our daily lives? It begins with understanding that every person we meet is a child of God, worthy of our love and respect. It means setting aside prejudices, grudges, and judgements and instead choosing kindness, empathy, and forgiveness. It means reaching out to those in need, lifting the heavy burdens of our brothers and sisters, and standing with them in times of sorrow and joy. It goes beyond the catch phrase “Is there anything I can do for you?” and goes further by actually doing something.
As a spiritual community dedicated to Jesus Christ and His teachings, we always need to remember that loving our brothers and sisters is not limited to our family or friends. It extends to all of God’s children, no matter their background, beliefs, or circumstances. As followers of Christ, we are called to love unconditionally.
In summary, let’s ensure that we carry the deep significance of 1 John 4:21 with us every day. Let’s strive to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and in doing so, let us embrace our duty to love our fellow human beings as well. This is the commandment that Christ has given us, and by fulfilling it, we become vessels of His love and grace.
In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
