Reflection: Love, Scripture, and International Development

WCIU Journal: Social Justice Topic

April 6, 2015

by Beth Snodderly

This Reflection is part of the Scripture as International Development series.

When Israel was a child, I loved him,
and out of Egypt I called my son.
But the more they were called,
the more they went away from me.
(Hosea 11:1)

He came to his own and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
(John 1:11, 12 ESV)

My children, I will be with you only a little longer. … A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
(John 13:33-35)

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:16-18)