And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
1 John 3:23 NIV
I am a rule follower. I like to have clearly defined requirements so that I know what to expect and what I should be doing. And that is just as true in my life as a Christian. I would like to have a clearly defined set of expectations telling me what I should and should not do.
But what is really important? What does God really want from us? I believe that this verse answers that question. To believe in the name of Jesus and to love one another. If we do that, God is pleased with us and lives within us.
To believe in the name of Jesus is much more than a one-time event that happened in my past. It is a way of life. Trusting in him as my Lord. And following faithfully as his disciple.
To love one another is more than an emotional feeling, although that can be a part of it. Agape is an active love. It is choosing to do what is beneficial for my fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord. It is living a life of love.
What does God expect of me as his child? To faithfully walk with Christ. And to love those that I am walking with. No rules. Just a faithful life of love. That is his command.
