By Weldon Tisdale, Chaplain

February is Black History Month. February is also said to be the month of love.

First John 4:7–10 deals with the theme of love. Here, John explains how true, godly love in a person’s life is a sign of being born again. Those who sincerely love God will act on that love, towards other people. Those who don’t demonstrate love have no fellowship with God. Love is something God showed us first,
by sending Christ. Our love for Him is ultimately rooted in His original love for us. We are reminded that true love involves acting, not just feeling. It is through this loving action that we live and have access to eternal life. Ultimately, Love is the Key to Life and Living.

John begins by addressing his readers as “beloved.” First, believers are to “love one another.” This reflects both the commandments of Jesus (John 13:34–35), and John’s prior teaching on recognizing a life influenced by Christ (1 John 2:7– 11).

Second, the reason we are to love one another is because “God is love,” therefore, “love is from God.” The ability to act lovingly towards others is one of the benefits of a close relationship with Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ gave us the greatest commandments in Mark 12: 30-31, “And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love you neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope. Maya Angelou

Third, the person who truly loves God has “been born of God and knows God.” The person who is “born of God” is a born-again believer (John 3). This should result in that person “knowing” God. No person can truly love others apart from God’s love. Those who demonstrate Godly love prove that they belong
to God. My hope is that we live out the command to love, this month and forever.