There are all sorts of understandings of what love is, but in his letter, John tells us what the author of love has demonstrated it to be. For Jesus Christ laid down his life for his people. If we consider how unworthy we are in the sight of God, not only unworthy, but rebellious sinners, it amazes us that he would do such a thing. This love carried out what was necessary, and without condition. This love was self-sacrificing, it involved the sacrifice of almighty God himself for sinful humanity.

If we are Christians, our love for others should mirror that of our Saviour, for his love should flow into us and through us to others. We should love others in an unconditional self-sacrificial way, seeing when they have a need. We should not be all words and no actions, if anything we should be all action and no words. Saying that, our sacrifice should have a purpose, and be for the good of others.

If our lives are a reflection of Christ’s, we can assurance we are his. If our lives bear no resemblance at all, we should wonder if we are his at all, for we can only know this love if we have faith in him, and we can only love as he did if his Spirit is working in us.

Another year, another year in Tywyn (rather than Twywn, as spelled by Jonny!) with CCIW. I’m not sure what the attraction is, as I’m not particularly fond of tents, getting wet, sleeping on the floor and generally being exhausted, but the opportunity of sowing the word of God with others, to be able to glorify God in a very direct way, and the fellowship of meeting up with other Christians more than makes up for it. This year was slightly different, as I wasn’t a tent officer, but rather I was responsible for the spiritual well-being of the male kitchen staff.

Fortunately, for most of the camp, the kitchen staff were able to function without my input, and I was left to enjoy/supervise the activities the children were involved in, including an attempt to climb Cadair Idris and some fun producing ‘pom poms’, without any of the responsibility of looking after a tent of children.

The general theme of the week was the kingdom of heaven, with the parables given by Jesus in Mt 13. Starting with the parable of the sower, which spoke of the spreading of the good news of the kingdom, and then the parable of the wheat and the weeds. We looked at the parables likening the kingdom to a mustard seed, yeast, treasure hidden in a field, a merchant who find a pearl, and finally a dragnet. From something which starts small and grows into something huge, to something which grows within. From something which is worth is worth more than everything else, to something which is worth more than anything else. Ultimately, something which will be accomplished through the coming of a new order.

A good week spent sharing God’s word, meeting up with old friends and making new ones. I just need to sleep now. 🙂