“For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” (1 John 3:11)

The pungent phrase “from the beginning” occurs no less than nine times in the first three chapters of the little epistle of 1 John. Thus, while in one sense, Christ’s command to love one another was a new commandment, in another sense it has been with us from the very beginning of the world.

“Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning” (1 John 2:7).

“He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters.” Psalm 23:2

I was driving from South Carolina to Florida one beautiful late summer day recently. The mountains were covered with a bright multi-covered quilt of fall leaves. The mid-day sky, a perfectly blue hue, made a beautiful backdrop to everything else. The wind blew throughout my car from windows rolled down. The sun beat gently upon my face from an open sun roof and there was little traffic to hinder my drive southbound.

“Psalm 23:3 He restores my soul: he leads me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”

Over the years, I have sat and listened to tens; if not hundreds of hurting souls as they poured out their hearts in anguish over sins participated in. These were not obscure men and women either – many were missionaries, pastors, teachers, pageant contestants, politicians and professionals in their fields.

My heart breaks even today, as I recollect the totally unnecessary sorrow and suffering these saints of God endured at the hands of their brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. Though their sins were repented of, restitution offered and reconciliation attempted – they were never restored into loving fellowship.

“Even when I walk through a valley of deep darkness, I will not be afraid because you are with me. Your rod and your staff – they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

After one of the deadliest tornados on record, leveled the city of Joplin, Missouri in April, 2011, Keith Stammer, emergency management director for the city, described the sudden and deadly destruction:

“At the moment its surreal, our landmarks are gone — road signs, places where you know to turn — we’re doing search and rescue, going house to house on that six mile strip,”

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

There are times in our lives when we cannot say with any surety, that we know what to do next? A sudden loss of income, a spouse abandons the marriage, a child drifts from their faith, a close friend betrays; the scenarios are endless.

Within a short two year period, I lost many a home, family and wealth. Even many of our closest “family friends” exposed themselves as anything but true friends. I was quickly overwhelmed – and felt all the emotional pains a man spends his whole life covering up by an outward show of strength. I cracked.

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” Ephesians 5:25

The fifth chapter of Ephesians may be one of the most overlooked “Love Chapters” of the entire bible. Under the power and inspiration of God the Spirit, our Apostle Paul laid out the perfect description of what “true love” is; in our relationship to God (Ephesians 5:1):

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;” Eph. 5:1, 8

…in our relationship to one another as fellow members of the body of Jesus Christ:

“Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.” (I Timothy 4:3)

Paul, in his instruction to his younger disciple, Timothy, knew that “in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (v. 1). Timothy had to be warned and prepared for this, as do we. The message could not be ignored, for Paul had received it from the Holy Spirit who had spoken “expressly” on these matters (v. 1). Certainly we are in the “latter times,” and the message applies to us.

“But Jesus, said unto them, A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.” (Mark 6:4)

A town will give great honor to a “hometown boy” if he makes good in athletics or the entertainment world. But if he becomes known as an influential Christian, the hometown folks usually are embarrassed about it.