Love

 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
1 John 3:11 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/1jn.3.11.ESV

The old and new testaments aren't as different as we might assume in what they ask of us. The old testament in summary tells us to love God and one another. The new testament essentially reaffirms this.

It's not that in the old testament the onus is on us, and in the new we can trust Jesus and do what we like. Of course, the new testament reveals God's love more clearly in Christ. Yet because of His love, we ought to respond in love.

If anything, the stakes are raised higher in the new testament. Jesus exemplifies perfect love to us, to the extent that He was prepared to die for us. We are called to that same kind of love.

It sounds so simple, but it's much harder to do than to say. What about that person who irritates us, or has hurt us? We are still called to love them. Love is easier said than done.

'Loving Father God, please help us to love You and others as we ought. Ultimately, we thank You for revealing Your love for us in Christ crucified: may that be our confidence and inspiration. In His name, amen'

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