Nothing New Here, and Yet ...

Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. - I John 2:7

There is nothing particularly new about love. It is, as John says, an old commandment. Jesus identified the call to love God and neighbor as the core of all the law and the prophets.

John closely correlates walking in love with walking in light. God is light. God is love. If we walk in one, we walk in the other. Knowledge without love is cold, dead, harsh, and simply, not true. Love without truth is without substance, backbone, or reality. You cannot separate the two.

The person who speaks the truth, must do so in love. The person who truly loves, must not speak falsely or deceive.

That is why "enabling" behavior is unhealthy and not loving. It is not a loving gesture to coddle an alcoholic.  Nor is it an act of love to turn one’s back entirely on such a person.  Love and light bring balance to our lives.

We must love because it is the truthful and deliberate command of God. It is not an emotion, and it is not beyond our control. We can choose to love and God will supply all the love capacity we need to follow through on our commitment.

We must love because, in the marvelous "logic" of God (from "logos," the word), love is the  only way of life that makes sense. It silences our detractors and amazes the skeptics. It disarms great enemies and warms lonely hearts. Love is the greatest spiritual force in God's universe.

If we walk in love, we walk in light. If we walk in light, we will learn to love. God is the source. He provides then force and leads us on the course.

This is nothing new and it is not rocket science - but it is a prerequisite to every other life course in which you will ever enroll. Learn to love and practice what you have learned. Start now.