“For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.” 1 John 3:11
The “message” is the teaching they received when they were taught of Christ, His salvation, and living in Christ. John identifies “loving one another” as absolutely basic to living for Christ and advancing His kingdom.
This “new commandment” stems from our Lord’s love for us, which has made the old commandment to “love your neighbor” from Leviticus 19:18 new and powerful.
Our heart condemns us when we look at our brother, see his needs, and yet excuse ourselves from acting in love. However, in Christ we know that we have passed out of death into life; that is, we have true saving faith, because we love our fellow Christians. Jesus laid down His life for us. His love for us has covered all our sins. God is greater than our heart, and His sure and certain promises of salvation give us confidence to come before Him.
God’s blessings on your day…