The book of 1 John is filled with so much truth and conviction.

The writer John was one of the closest eyewitnesses to the life of Jesus and spent the rest of his life spreading the gospel.

He writes his letters to the new Christians of the Roman Empire, emphasizing love. The kind of love Jesus has for us is the same love we need to show each other.

John seems to remember this in his old age and as he sees what is happening with the early Christians, it is time for them to remember this basic but essential commandment. John displays two aspects of love that are essential for Christians: we must love God and we must love others!

In 1 John 2:5 it says, “But if anyone obeys his word, the love of God is truly fulfilled in him. If we obey the word of God, that is how we show that we love him. John concludes his letter by reaffirming this position.

1 John 5:3 “For this is the love of God, to keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. Jean weaves the thoughts of loving God and loving others so masterfully into his letter.

He says that if we don’t love our brothers and sisters, we are “still in darkness” (1 John 2:9). However, if we love our brothers and sisters, we “live in the light” (1 John 2:10).

1 John 4:20, he says, “Anyone who claims to love God but hates a brother or sister is a liar. For he who does not love his brother and sister, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. In the end, if you can’t show love to others on earth, how can you love God or even know Him?

The message of John’s letter is as clear today as it was then. As followers of Christ, we should love extravagantly. Let us be recognized as disciples of Christ for the way we love God and love others.