It is not always easy to overcome the effects of our past behaviour. Saul had been a vicious persecutor of the Christian community but had changed after his encounter with the risen Lord. Now he was proclaiming Jesus in Jerusalem, but understandably, not everyone in Jerusalem wanted to hear him. It takes time and patience to form a new life and a new identity. We should not be surprised when we meet some resistance.

It is easy to talk about spirituality or holiness - it costs us nothing! John warns his community to love not with words, but with truth and action. Love is as love does - only by our behaviour will people be able to see that our talk about loving others is true. Love is being a person for others. We cannot talk one way and behave another.

Jesus used the image of a vine to illustrate the mysticism of Christian love. As long as we abide and dwell in Jesus - all of the time – Jesus abides in us. We will be fed and sustained spiritually, and will be united with him and the Father throughout our lives. When we do not abide in him - when our Christian commitment becomes mere talk and no truth or action - we wither and die spiritually. Abiding in Jesus is what we accomplish in prayer, meditation, study, and loving service. It is not confined to one portion of our life but embraces all of it - all of the time. Love is the only way that we will ever know or experience God.