The letter from John to the church is not a mushy, sentimental piece of prose.
The love spoken of in this chapter is intrinsically connected with behaviour – what we do. That behaviour is connected with who we are primarily connected to – that is relational.
We have two options.
We can be connected to God and do what He tells us to do. Our behaviour is determined by being like Jesus and behave like He does as expressed in loving our brothers and sisters in Christ. Love expressed in doing and being everything pleasing to God in Christ. Words are not contradicted by actions, but just as the Father talks and act reinforce it, so we speak love for God and obey His commands in loving His family.
Or.
We can be disconnected by sin and a love for the world and the things of the world. This is best seen in not loving brothers and sisters and preferring selfish pursuits that is about satisfying the lust of the flesh and the eyes and that pride of life. Those sentiments undergird a lot of what we see in the world around us. This is both on an individual basis and even through the institutions and businesses operating in the world – they are primarily designed to attract and reinforce those worldly conceits.
Every day we are challenged to know who do we love, but are given these words to help us make an informed decision on the matter:
The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:17)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 