The Test of Love

Jesus gave a new commandment to his disciples: Love one another. To understand the full weight of this commandment, we have to consider the context in which Jesus delivered this new commandment. It was in the upper room and just after Jesus washed the disciples’ feet. What is significant about this is that the one who betrayed him (Judas) got the same treatment as the others. Jesus’ love revealed no prejudice, no favourites, no exceptions. Love knows no limits, no boundaries, no judgments. Jesus made a point to tell his disciples he knew who was going to betray him. They did not understand, but later it became clear.

When Jesus taught early in his ministry, “love your enemies”, then it was only theory. Now it was real. Jesus actually loved his betrayer. This betrayer was not a deranged stranger or a random killer; it was one of his companions, a confidant, trusted disciple, a person in his circle. When someone in this position betrays you, it cuts deep. The hurt is worse than an abscessed tooth. To love this person goes beyond the emotion, the feel good and warm fuzzies touted as love. No, this is an act of the will, a decision, a love based on action and truth. This is the benchmark that God uses to see if we are his disciples. The evidence of love in us is by the way we love the unlovely, the annoying person, the troublemaker in our lives. This so impacted the disciples, they later taught, “This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.”(1 John 3:10) And Judas, the betrayer, would have been considered one of their own, a brother if you will.

It is easy to love those that love us back. The true test of love is the way we respond to poor treatment by others. If you find yourself retaliating and striking back when someone is behaving poorly, then that is an indicator of the work God needs to do in you. Here is the exciting part. Jesus loved first. This is our example. If we love first, we will actually experience the divine love flowing from heaven into our hearts. The conflict with the person may not be eased or resolved (it wasn’t with Judas) but the conflict in your heart will be settled. You will be able to live without bitterness, resentments, and unforgiveness. 

This Sunday I will be finishing my sermon on John Chapter 13. Jesus is our servant because he loved us. He said, I am doing this for you as an example, so you too can be servants of love to and for others. This is the way to heaven, but also to a great life here on earth.

Hope you will join us.

Sunday Meeting

Kootenay Christian Fellowship has two different options to participate in Online Sunday Service and we hope to find you at one of them. Both will begin at 10:30am:

• Join us on Facebook Live @ Kootenay Christian Fellowship Facebook page; or
• For a more personalized experience where we can view and interact with one another find us on Zoom (it you would like to chat before service, simply check into Zoom early – we will be there visiting at 10am).

If you are not familiar with Zoom, feel free to contact us directly for guidance and we will be happy to help you. 250.352.1722.

Here is the Zoom link and Meeting ID to join us: 

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84408696211

Meeting ID: 844 0869 6211

One tap mobile

+17789072071,,84408696211# Canada

+12042727920,,84408696211# Canada

For those who may not have internet availability, use your phone to call in on One Tap Mobile to the Zoom meeting. 

We are looking forward to connecting with you on Sunday if not before.

You can also find us on YouTube (posted afterwards) at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNT9GnRlN0fPZdvqmaUV_LA

Subscribe to our channel while you are there.

When you visit us on Facebook, like and follow please, here is the link

https://www.facebook.com/kootenaychristianfellowshipnelsonbc

Jim Reimer, Pastor

January 14, 2021