1 John 5:2 2In this we know that we love the children of God, whenever we love God and do his commands.
Love is the proof of being born again. If people do not love, they have not let God complete his work in them. Believing in Jesus ought to lead to love others. John may be reflecting on the teaching Jesus emphasized his last night with his disciples and the words recorded in John 13-16. Loving God is linked to obedience to God’s commands. The word “command” appears 10 times in this short letter, underscoring its emphasis. The command to love one another is central to Jesus’ teaching and is emphasized in 3:23. By loving God’s children, we are fulfilling God’s commands. Likewise, if we do not love, we are disobeying and breaking God’s commands.
Although this statement is simple to understand, the challenge is living it out. Love must be expressed outwardly for it to reach its purpose, fullness, perfection, or completeness. If we think about love, it stays in our minds as a theory. We may have the right intention, but intention only goes so far. Intention must be followed up with action, which can take on many forms. Our love for God should lead us to help others get closer to God. By loving, we join in God’s purposes for people. Whatever God wants to do in a person’s life, because God is love. becomes how we should also be involved in that person’s life. We become the extension of God’s love because his love is transforming us to become like Jesus. The outcome of our relationships with others will be like what God’s love accomplishes in one’s life. God’s love draws people to his redeeming grace and recreation. Our love should also draw people to this same grace and recreation.