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For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. — John 3:16.

We have often heard it said, “We should love our neighbors and hate our enemies.” Jesus does not want us to hate our enemies but to pray for them. As followers of Jesus, we are called to be different from the world and shine our lights brightly. — Matthew 5:43-44.

Jesus gave the disciples and all of us two commandments: First of the Great Commandments, “We shall love the Lord, God with all our hearts, souls, and with all our minds.” 

Second, “We should love our neighbors as we love ourselves.” Jesus knows when we love ourselves, we will want the same for our neighbors and friends.

Jesus said, “If we keep His commandments, he and His Father will love us, and Jesus will show Himself to them and us. — John 13:21.

Jesus said, when we believe in Him, we can do the works He did and will do greater works because Jesus left to be with His Father. 

And when He saw a fig tree in the way, He came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaves only, and said unto it. Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward forever. And presently, the tree withered away. The disciples marveled, “saying, how soon the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered, “Verily I say unto you, if you have faith, and doubt not, you shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree but also if you shall say unto this mountain. Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive. — Matthew 21:19-22.

Though I speak with the tongues of the learned and have no love, I am an empty vessel with no sound. Just talking and saying nothing. No love. We can do everything but have no love; it does not mean anything. Love makes the world go round; without it, we see what happens daily to the world. — 1 Corinthians 13:1-2.

The Bible tells us what love is. God gave us His greatest’ Gift when He gave us His only Begotten Son, Jesus, to save us from our sins; the only request He asks of us is to love and serve Him, to become a part of His family. Jesus tells us daily just how much He loves us, and we can show Him that His sacrifice was not in vain when we love Him and make Jesus our Savior. What wondrous love God gave us in His Son, Jesus.

Be blessed in Jesus’ name.

Mary Simmons is a columnist for The Kenbridge-Victoria Dispatch. She can be reached at aboxoflove37@gmail.com.