The book of 1 John is a book of love and joy. It explains the fellowship we have with others and with Jesus Christ. In 1 John 4:7-8, it says "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and God is love". This passage speaks of God's loving nature. Love is not merely an attribute of God; it is part of his very makeup. God alone loves in the completeness and perfection of love.
John’s teaching reveals that love is essential in the believer’s life. Love is the litmus test of an authentic relationship with God. If we are indeed children of God through faith in Jesus Christ, we share in His nature (2 Peter 1:4). God’s nature is love; therefore, we will exhibit love. Demonstrating Christian love confirms the reality of our spiritual life.
John wants us to love one another with agape because this is how God loves. Jesus instructed, “Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:12–13). John's conclusion is simple: "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" (1 John 4:11).
How do we practice Agape love? It is a selfless love that is given freely and without the expectation of reciprocation. Here are some ways you can practice agape love:
1. Give without strings attached: Sacrifice without expectation of reciprocation. Do it out of love.
2. Pray for your enemies: Pray for those who have wronged you.
3. Speak in Truth and Love: Speak honestly and with love.
4. Set aside your own agenda: To nurture your agape love, you must set aside your own goals and agendas to sincerely support your partner.
5. Be patient: Sometimes we must be patient with one another.
6. Be generous: Agape love is generous. Agape partners give freely and willingly to one another, no matter what is asked of them.
Let us all keep learning agape love from God and practice it in our daily life.
約翰一書是一本關於愛和喜樂的書。它解釋了我們與他人和耶穌基督的團契生活。在約翰一書4:7-8中，它說：“親愛的，讓我們彼此相愛，因為愛是出於神；凡愛弟兄的，都是從神生的，並且認識神。不愛弟兄的，就不認識神，因為神就是愛。”這段經文講述了神的慈愛本性。愛不僅僅是神的一個屬性，它是他本質的一部分。只有神才能完全完美地愛。
約翰的教導揭示了為什麼愛在信徒生活中至關重要。愛是與神真實關係的試金石。如果我們確實通過對耶穌基督的信仰成為神的兒女，我們就分享他的本性（彼得後書1:4）。神的本性是愛；因此，我們將表現出愛。展示基督徒之愛證實了我們屬靈生命的真實性。
約翰希望我們彼此相愛，因為這就是神所愛。耶穌指示：“我怎樣愛你們，你們也要怎樣彼此相愛。人為朋友捨命，人的愛心沒有比這個大的”（約翰福音15:12-13）。約翰的結論很簡單：“親愛的弟兄啊，既然神這樣愛我們，我們也當彼此相愛”（約翰一書4:11）。
那麼我們如何實踐無私之愛呢？它是一種無私地給予並且不期望回報的愛。以下是您可以實踐無私之愛的一些方法：
1. 無條件地給予：犧牲而不期望回報。出於愛而行。
2. 為你的敵人禱告：為那些傷害過你的人禱告。
3. 用真理和愛心說話：真誠地、充滿愛心地說話。
4. 放下自己的想法：要培養您的無私之愛，您必須擱置自己的先入為主的想法，真誠地支持，接納你身邊的人。
5. 恆久忍耐：有時我們必須彼此相互忍耐。
6. 慷慨：無私之愛是慷慨的。無論被要求什麼都會甘心而願意地彼此給予。
雖然是不容易，但這也是讓我們，在上帝那裡不斷學習無私之愛，並在日常生活中實踐。
