What Matters Most Text: II John 1:4-6
I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. 5 And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. 6 This is love that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
John is saying, “That this is love, that they keep the commandments! We also get from this text that who ever transgressed, and did not abide in the doctrine of Christ, had not God, nor His love! Describe in one word ‘God?’ Love! Hear this, the most important lesson God wants you to learn on earth is how to love! A person can’t truly say they have the right kind of love without walking in God’s commandments!
So what matters most? Gal. 5:14 For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
The Message Bible say’s in I Corinthians 13:3 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.
It is in loving that we are most like Him! Learning to love unselfishly is not an easy task; it runs counter to our self-centered nature!
God is particularly concerned that we learn to love others in His family! I Peter 2:17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
Paul echoes this sentiment in Gal. 6:10 When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers.
Why does God insist that we give special love and attention to other believers?
John 13:35 LB Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
The world won’t know the difference, nor will they care about our doctrinal beliefs if they can’t see our love for one another!
I Cor. 14:1 Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy.
If believers can’t love other believers what good does any other gift do? Life minus love equals zero!
3 things to remember about love:
1. Love will last forever! Love leaves a legacy. Mother Teresa said, “It’s not what you do, but how much love you put into it that matters!”
Love is the secret of a lasting heritage.
I’ve been around many bedsides of people in their final moments, I’ve never heard any of these people desire their diplomas or their awards, but they always want their loved ones around them!
2. We will be evaluated on our love!
In heaven God won’t ask you how great you were in you’re career, nor about you’re bank account or hobbies; instead He will review how you treated other people!
Matthew 25:40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
Listen, love and relationships take time, so the best way to spell love is T-I-M-E!
Remember this, you can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving!
Love means giving up-yielding my preferences, comfort, goals, security, money, energy, or time for the benefit of someone else!
3. The best time to love is now! Gal. 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Why is now the best time to express love? People die! Therefore we could say, “That the best use of life is to love!”
Life is all about love! Love is the key. Joy is love singing. Peace is love resting. Long-suffering is love enduring. Kindness is love’s touch. Goodness is love’s character. Faithfulness is love’s habit. Gentleness is love’s self-forgetfulness. Self-control is love holding the reins.
Sources
NKJ, LB, NCV, NIC
The Purpose Driven Life
Sermon Central (Illstration)
Matthew Henry Complete
The Word for You Today
