“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:3-4

From the gospel, Jesus gives his followers a discipleship model that is upside down to how society would encourage us to live. His model is backwards to the typical worldly rules for success. For example: the world says if you want success, always strive to be the first. Jesus says, in my kingdom, the first shall be the last (Matthew 20:28). The world says, “eye for eye and tooth for tooth" and love your neighbor but hate your enemies. But Jesus says love your enemies. If you are slapped, turn the other cheek.

Just imagine how soon the work would be finished and Jesus would come to take us home, if we model the love of Christ like this. Jesus says, “By this, shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

However, we don't naturally live and love this way.  And it's hard to talk about loving our enemies like this when we cannot even love our friends and families this way. We need the Holy Spirit to dwell within us, for apart from Christ, we can do nothing.

Dear friends, do you want to stay forever in the love of Christ, to be his forever, the only condition is to keep his commandment according to John 15:10. Remember that the person we obey is our father or Master, if we obey God, we show that he is our father and Master. 

The basis for keeping the commandments is love.  No one can keep God's commandment in a way acceptable to God without truly loving him. That is why God's commandments are divided into two main commandments: to love God and to love our fellow man (Matthew 22:37-40).

Heaven and earth will pass away, but the law of God will remain in the hearts of God's children forever. God's children may be mocked and become unpopular in this sinful world, but they are precious to God because they have his law in their hearts.

God calls us to a loving relationship with Him, which will allow us to love Him and our fellow men.