As a
result of adult children neglecting their responsibilities, some elderly
parents in Singapore are forced to seek financial help from charities and other
state agencies. Speaking about this escalating situation, a government official
said, “We cannot legislate love.”
In the
Bible, however, love is commanded. That is what Moses told the nation of
Israel: “I command you today to love the Lord
your God, to walk in His ways” (Deut. 30:16).
And Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to “love the Lord your God” (Mark 12:30).
How can
God command love? His supreme display of love at Calvary gave Him that right.
Jesus’ beloved disciple, John, wrote: “By this we know love, because He laid
down His life for us. . . . This is His commandment: that we should believe on
the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us
commandment” (1 John 3:16,23).
What
opportunities do you have to obey God’s command to love? Honoring parents by
caring and providing for them? Ministering to a sick friend? Offering a
gracious and kind word to someone who is difficult to love?
Lord, because You laid down
Your life for us, help us to show love to others.
We show
our love for God when we love one another. (RBC)
