Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17
I am certain you have seen electric cars on the streets in your city. They are shaped like other cars. They have 4 wheels, headlights, tail lights, wipers. But what you can't see is that they do not have a piston engine running on gasoline. They have very big batteries, instead. That is my rather loose analogy to Christians living in the world amongst those who are not Christians. We are a new creation and have a new means of propulsion.
When Nicodemus went to see Jesus. Jesus looked under his "figurative" hood and told him - you need a different engine.
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again. - John 3:3-8
And so, everyone who is born again has a new nature. Old things have passed away. You look like the rest of the cars on the outside, but you are radically different on the inside. So what does this have to do with love. Well, running on the old motor you were capable of one kind of love - natural affection - brotherly love if you will. But, with your new means of propulsion you are capable of the same love that God showed you by sending Jesus and Jesus showed you by going to the cross for you. In the same way, we are to show the world that same spiritually based love.
No greater love has one [person] than this but to lay down [their] life for [their] friends - John 15:13
BTW, when I put words in [brackets] it is because I have changed the word in the scripture reference - most often from a male reference to an inclusive male and female reference.
The love that God and Jesus showed the world is spiritual at its root and is called Agape [uh-gopp-aa]
So how do we get it? Well, it starts with God - John 3:16. Then when we are born again we love God back
According to Jesus, the greatest commandment is to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. - Matthew 22:37 Totally focused and surrendered to the Father. When that happens we are able to love others in the same way - Love your neighbors as yourself. The second greatest commandment. The thing is that we can't do the second unless we do the first - first. Jesus said that all of the law - which covers how to live and worship - is hinged on those two commandments. These are some verses that drive the idea home.
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. - 1 John 3:1
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. - 1 John 3:16
We love Him because He first loved us. - 1 John 4:19
And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. - 1 John 4:21
Pretty simple - natural love is dependent upon our flesh - agape love is dependent upon the Spirit of God. My conclusion is that if you and I have a problem loving others it is because we have a problem loving God.
They will know you are a Christian without telling them but by showing them.
When Jesus asked Peter three times if Peter loved Jesus (John 21) - Peter said yes and each time Jesus essentially said "Show Me!" by tending to Jesus' sheep. That was going to requires Agape love.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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