What is love?

II John 1:6 (NASB)

And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments.  This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should 

walk in it.

Have you ever read II John?  It is only one chapter and only 13 verses.  Have you ever heard a sermon preached from it?  Have you ever been part of a Bible study class where the topic for discussion is II John?  Do you ever see any of the 13 verses in II John quoted in any Christian writings?  My guess is that you would answer “no” to all these questions.  II John is probably as obscure a book of the Bible as any in the New Testament and ranks with certain obscure Old Testament books like Obadiah.  Yet II John is part of the canon of the Bible so it’s there for a purpose, either to teach you something, correct you, reprove you, or train you in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16). 

So what Is II John’s purpose?  I selected verse 6 as the key verse of the 13.  It defines love.  Not as I Corinthians 13 defines love, but much more succinctly and directly.  Love is living your life according to God’s commandments.  God’s commandments were given not to restrict you or to overwhelm you or to make your life miserable.  His commandments are given in order for you to live a holy life, a life free from any kind of encumbrance, and a life full of blessings and honor and peace.

Love and keeping God’s commandments are also emphasized by Jesus in John 14:21 and 14:23.  If Jesus asked you personally, “Do you love Me?”, what would your answer be?  “Yes”, you would reply.  “Oh, really?”  He would say…….”then why are you not following My commandments?”  You know deep in your heart whether or not you are following His commandments.  Plus, basically, His commandments involve loving God and loving others as yourself.  Are you? 

John writes “this is the commandment”.  Not a commandment, but the commandment.  It is the same commandment since the beginning of mankind. The commandment?  That you walk in or according to His commandments.  Your main purpose in life is to live your life as best and as close as you can in obedience to the commandments of God.  That’s how you demonstrate and prove your love for Him. 

However, guess what?  You cannot fulfill this commandment on your own.  No, you cannot.  You need the Spirit of Christ in you and not quench Him.  What is the number one fruit of the Holy Spirit?  Love (Galatians 5:22).  God will see not your human nature, but His nature in you and seeing His nature in you will enable you to fulfill this commandment. 

Pray everyday for God to forgive your sins and for the Holy Spirit to fill you and lead for the rest of that day.  That is the key to living the obedient Christian life.