Beloved, we love God because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. This is the commandment we have from him: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the Father loves also the one begotten by him. In this way we know that we love the children of God when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.
REFLECTION
Whoever loves God must also love his brother.
Our affections can change from one minute to another: close friends are no longer speaking to each other, one person refuses to forgive but the other scatters this bit of bad news to all. Rules shape our days and fear guards our heart. Do I behave a certain way so that someone can like me, maybe love me? Loving others as we think we should love, is quite burdensome and requires a lot of effort. Fear, pride and comfort can rule us.
St John writes, “We love because He first loved us.” We first receive love and we learn from this how to love others. We don't have to impress God because He loved us first. He shows us what true love is. So it becomes easier to pray for one another, run errands and followup with a meal or doctor's visit if needed. With Him, it is even easier when someone snubs us, or yells at us or says hurtful things, as we know how God loves.
Certainly to love when we feel God's love is easier. God loves your enemies, your ex friends, your social media buddy, your family, and strangers. He created them as He created you and me….because He loved us.
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