Through thick and thin, and regardless of whether things are easy or difficult, the apostle John has some sage counsel: “For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another” (1 John 4:11).

We tend to pay attention to what some people say more than others.

For example, let’s say you need financial advice. Person one doesn’t have any training, has very little experience, and has made a mess of their own finances. Person two has great training, has significant experience, and has a track record of making good financial decisions when the economy is both good and bad.

Who are you more likely to listen to? Obviously, person two.

Consider the apostle John. He most likely wrote the letter quoted above in the early 90’s. Therefore, at the time of writing, he would have been through a lot…

He would have personally witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus (John 19:26-27). And yet, his message was “love one another.”

He lived through the martyrdom of his friends, the apostles. In fact, he was the last one standing. Some were crucified, some beheaded, some hanged, and some flayed. In light of this, what was his message? Revenge, violence or hate? No. It was to “love one another.”

He lived through the persecution of Christians by the dreaded Roman emperors Nero, Vespasian, and Domitian. Fellow believers were slaughtered, thrown to lions, or burned. And yet, his message was: “love one another.” 

Speaking of Domitian, there is a story that he had John put in a boiling tub of oil—something he obviously survived. And yet, his message was: “love one another.”

John also lived through the Roman-Jewish war and the destruction of the beloved Temple in the year 70. It was a national, political and religious crisis. And yet, his message was: “love one another.”

Wow. His many difficult experiences give an additional weight and credibility to his words. 

I’m not sure what you’re going through. Perhaps this is a good chapter in your life. Perhaps it’s a tough one. Through it all, and despite any feelings you may have to the contrary, “love one another.”

---

Notes:

-“Christian is also a Verb.” Click here. Sermon.

-Bible quotes are from the ESV.