The Challenge of Love 1 John 3

Introduction
Last week we looked at the command to love one another and what love looks like. We were challenged to think about what aspects of love that we need to work on personally, given the description of love in 1 Cor 13.

We also thought about the truth that loving God means not loving the things of this world but having a heavenly and eternal mindset not an earthly and temporal mindset. We also have the Holy Spirit to teach us to help us stay on track and listen to God’s still small voice.

This week the challenge of love addresses our response to Hod's great love for us. It is the challenges of obedience, right living and love in action. John comes back time and again to the challenge of love and what it means. Its clear that he really wants his readers to get this message of love.

Truth 1
God’s children choose to do what is

Chapter 2 of 1 John  finishes with an entreaty to remain in fellowship with Jesus, that is, in right relationship with him. He goes on to say that all who do what is right are God’s children.

1 John 2:28-29
New Living Translation (NLT)
Living as Children of God
28 And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame. 29 Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God’s children.

Remember that this is in the context of a relationship with God through trust in Christ. The context is also that Christ has made atonement and is our advocate. As a result, we show that we are God’s children because we choose to live in a way that is right and is in obedience to Christ.

The fact that we can be called God’s children shows God’s great love for us. As a result we keep ourselves pure by the way we live. Because we are being made like Christ; because we are his Children; because we live in an eager expectation of Christ’s appearing, we live the way he wants us to. The truth is that Christ lived a pure life and that he our example.

1 John 3:2-3
New Living Translation (NLT)
2 Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. 3 And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.
John goes on to encourage us that as followers of Christ the expectation is that we will not sin.

In fact, if we choose to deliberately go on sinning, this shows that we don’t fully understand who Christ is and what he has done for us. Jesus himself told his disciples that to love him was to obey his commandments.

Challenge
Live in purity and obedience to the Commands of Jesus

John 15:9-10
New Living Translation (NLT)
9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.

Notice that obedience is given in the framework of love. Jesus loves us in the same way that God loves him, and we obey Jesus in the same way he obeyed his father. The context is always as a result of a loving relationship. Obedience is not what saves us, but obedience is meant to be a natural outworking of following Christ. We obey because we love him and he loves us.

John presses his point here in chapter three just to make sure we get it. He does not want us to be deceived by what others say, what the worldly view is, but to always consider God’s standard. It’s easy to be sucked in by worldly thinking. The whole idea of no absolute truth, if it feels right it must be right etc. all war against the truth of God’s word.

1 John 3:7-9
New Living Translation (NLT)
7 Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. 8 But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life[a] is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.

Those who continue in sin – this is making a practice of sinning – deliberately living in an ungodly way shows they do not really belong to God. It does not mean that if we slip up we are no longer God’s children, it means if we deliberately choose to live in a way that is ungodly, not trying to live the right way we have to look careflly at our understanding of what a relationship with God means.

Remember that God’s grace is always there for us and he loves us. The good news is that in all of this, even though the enemy may try to deceive, and even though we sometimes struggle, Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. When we are born into God’s family, we don’t make a practice of sinning. We might slip up, but God’s grace is sufficient. The work of the enemy in our lives has been defeated and destroyed.

Exercise:
Am I living in obedience to Jesus’ commandments?
In what areas might I have succumbed to the world’s way of thinking rather than God’s?
This is an exercise in self reflection so be honest with yourself and with God.
What do I need to do now to make a change? Do I need to learn more, spend more time with God?

Make a decision to know Christ more, and in knowing him more to understand more of who he really is and what that means. Find out how he tells us we are to live; e.g Love one another as he loves us; Love God with all your heart and all your soul, mind strength; Love your neighbour as yourself; Treat others in a way that you would like to be treated.

Matt 5-Matt 7 are great chapters of the Bible. They are a record of Jesus’ sermon on the mount and are full of the way we are to live. Remember that the context is God’s love for us, our obedience as a response. Living in obedience to God brings a more fruitful and productive way of living.

Truth 2
Loving one another requires action not just lip service

We must love one another. John says that if we don’t love one another we are still living in death. In fact he reiterates Jesus’ statement about love and hate. If we hate someone we are actually a murderer at heart.

1 John 3:14-15
New Living Translation (NLT)
14 If we love our Christian brothers and sisters,[a] it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. 15 Anyone who hates another brother or sister[b] is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.

This is why this series is the challenge of love. Loving in the same way that Jesus loved us is the foundation on which all else is laid. John tells us that true love means loving the way Jesus loved by giving his life up for us.

Mark 10:45
New Living Translation (NLT)
45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Romans  5:8 tells us that even when we were still sinners Christ dies for us.

Jesus loved us so much that he was prepared to give up everything he had, to leave the glories of heaven, to put aside his own position and power and become like us, giving up everything for us even his own life. And he did it all even when we still lived in sin.

As a response we are to love others and give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. This requires action on our part. Last week when we looked at love we focussed on what love actually is, on the aspects of love. Today the focus is not on how I can develop the attributes of love in myself, but on how I can practically show that love to others.

1 John 3:16-19
New Living Translation (NLT)
16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister[a] in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?
18 Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 19 Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.

It is by our deeds that we show our love and not by our words alone. True love requires us to give up our own selfish attitudes and to “lay down our lives” for others.

Challenge
Live in a way that loves enough to give up our own comforts and our own life for the sake of others

This does not necessarily mean dying a physical death, or giving up the hopes and dreams we have. It does mean putting aside our own selfish ambitions for the sake of others. The challenge of love means not always getting our own way or having to be the centre of attention. It means living in a way where the needs of others are considered and we are prepared to put their need before our own.

This might require us to give of our time, our effort, our money and to put aside our own things for the sake of the greater good, and not expect anything back in return. When we live showing love by helping others with the right attitude (helping others with the wrong attitude is not much help) we can be confident when we stand before God.

Exercise:
Where do I need to make some life adjustments?
What attitudes do I have that stop me from “laying down my life” for another?
In what practical way can I show God’s love to someone this week without expecting anything back in return?

The truth is that if we choose to live this way, and exercise love this way, God actually promises to give us back much more. It’s not the reason for doing it; it’s the result of doing it. Jesus met the rich young man who could not give up what he had to follow Christ and went away sad. Good old Peter was willing to voice what the others were thinking.

Mark 10:28-31
New Living Translation (NLT)
28 Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said.
29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, 30 will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. 31 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.[a]”

They had already followed the example of Jesus and given up their lives for a greater cause and would continue to do so after the death and resurrection of Jesus. God’s promise to us is that if we are willing to live in obedience, if we are willing to live in love, we will be rewarded both in this life and in the life to come.

Conclusion
Because of God's great love for us, choose to love God by living in obedience to the commands of Jesus. Choose to show our love for others by the actions of our lives, by thinking of others before ourselves and loving others by laying down our life for them.

The Challenge of Love 1 John 2

Introduction
Last week we looked at the background to 1 John and the first chapter.
Jesus – in the flesh. To recap:
We are to live in the light and reflect his love in us.
God promises to forgive.

So what challenges will we face in Chapter 2?
This chapter continues the last thought from chapter 1. We need to remember that this is written as a letter. Originally it did not have chapters. Thus the thoughts flow through the chapters and from one chapter to the next and John Continues the idea of Jesus as saviour.

This letter was written – according to John – so that we will not sin.

1 John 2:1-2
New Living Translation (NLT)
2 My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. 2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

What does he mean? He wants us to understand that in Jesus we can live the life that God wants us to live. The goal is not to sin, but if we do sin, Jesus is our advocate. An advocate is someone who speaks for and on behalf of others.

Advocate
Noun -
a person who speaks or writes in in support or defence of a person, cause etc.
a person who pleads for or in behalf of another, intercessor
A person who pleads the cause of another in a court of law.
Verb -
To speak or write in favour of; support or urge by argument; recommend publicly.

Jesus is our advocate. (The Greek word used is Parakletos, the same word used of the Holy Spirit in John 14-16.) Jesus speaks for us. And he himself atones (makes amends for, expiates, pays the price) for our sins. Knowing God means choosing to live his way, living in relationship of love and obedience.

John  continues in verses 12-14 to explain why he has written this letter. He is encouraging them to remember what they have in Christ.
He also starts his great dialogue on love. It’s a bit like an entrée to what is to come later in the letter. Its like he is giving them a taste of what he will elaborate on later.

Truth 1 – The challenge of love
The command to love has not changed.

Jesus spoke about love – people would know we are his followers by the way we treat each other, by the way we love each other.

John 13:34-35
NLT
So now I am giving you a new commandment; Love each other. Just as I have loved you, love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples

John 15:12
NLT
This is my commandment: love each other as I have loved you.

John repeats the command here in his letter to the Christians. He heard Jesus tell them to love. For John, it has become so important. He speaks of love here and again later in the letter he develops this thought even more. It is this love that is the distinguishing factor. He knows how important love is. Indeed Jesus himself is the very truth of this commandment to love.

1 John 2:7-8
New Living Translation (NLT)
A New Commandment
7 Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before. 8 Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it. For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining.

Jesus was the embodiment of love – now we are.

Challenge 1
We are to represent that kind of love here and now.

How are we doing? How well are we representing love and living in love.

So when he calls us to love – what is love? If i were to ask people, they would say things like kindness, caring, being nice, wanting the best for someone. They might talk about feelings of love etc. and they would all be true. Love is caring, it challenges people to become who God called them to be, it corrects. But most of all it is patient, kind, understanding, forgiving, keeping no record of wrongs.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
New Living Translation (NLT)
4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

So love is:
-Kind, rejoices in truth, stands against injustice, never gives up, never loses faith,
-Always hopeful, endures the horrible stuff.

How are we doing now?

Exercise: What aspects of love am I struggling with? Is there someone I need to forgive? Do I need to take a stand against injustice?
Do I need to be more patient, kind, understanding or forgiving?

If the answer is yes to any of these, take action. Take on the challenge of love. Choose to forgive, choose to be kind etc.

Truth 2
Loving God means not loving the things of this world

1 John 2:15-17
New Living Translation (NLT)
Do Not Love This World
15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.

John does not pull any punches when he writes this letter. He is very clear; loving the things of this world means we do not have the love of God in us. OUCH!!
Its really clear – do not love this world. What are the things of this world? It is anything that gets in the way of the call of God and living for him. It is a focus on the temporal things instead of the eternal. It is craving physical pleasure, jealousy, and pride in what we do and what we own.

This is tuff because our society places so much store in these things. We ask at gatherings “What do you do?” We subconsciously ask ourselves – “does what I have measure up to what others have?” John calls this loving the things of this world.

Challenge
Let go of the pleasures of this world and embrace a heavenly perspective.

How do we do this? We need to look at life differently – learn to focus on what is really important – not on what we do, but on who we are?

Colossians 3:1-2
New Living Translation (NLT)
Living the New Life
3 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

Colossians 3:12-17
New Living Translation (NLT)
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

It is the message of Christ - the message of who Jesus is, what he has done for us and who we are in him that should fill our lives. Focus on who we are, not on what we do.

Exercise: What is the main focus of my life?
Is it on earthly pleasure, or on the things of God?
Do I focus on what I do (and compare it with what other people do) and what I have (or want to have), instead of who I am in Christ?

Choose to take time to focus on who Jesus is and who we are in him. When you catch yourself focussing on what you do and comparing what you have, craving what others have etc. Then choose to be grateful for what God has given you. Be deliberate about it. It will change your life.

Truth 3
We have the Holy Spirit

When Jesus spoke about his death and resurrection, he assured his disciples he would not leave them alone. He would send his Spirit to be with them. His Spirit leads and guides us into all truth -the truth of Jesus, the truth about ourselves.

John encourages us in 1John 2:24 to remain faithful to what we have been taught about Christ and remain in right relationship with God. There are those who will want to lead us astray. But the Spirit within will teach us the truth. Be careful who you listen too.

1 John 2:20
But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth

1 John 2:27
I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don't need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true - it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.

These people had been taught the truth but some were trying to lead them astray into false teaching and wrong living. John says, let the Spirit of God guide you. Be careful who you allow to speak into your life. Don'tbe led astray by teaching that moves away from the truth about Jesus, but stay firm in relationship with Christ.

Challenge
Live in a way that is led by the Spirit of God, not by human wisdom but in Godly truth.

The Spirit speaks to us as a still small voice within us. He will never tell you anything different to God's revealed truth in his Word. He will guide us. When he speaks, he may challenge us to become more God like. He will never do anything or teach anything that moves you away from God.

2 Cor 3:17
For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

John 8:32
And you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.

God's Spirit guides us into truth, and truth brings freedom.

Exercise: How well am I living according to the Spirit and in the freedom of God's truth? What truth or truths is God wanting me to undetstand to walk in a greater degree of freedom? What will I do today to make a start on the journey to truth and freedom?

Be honest and intentional. It will pay great dividends.

Conclusion
Live in a way that takes on the challenges of Love; the challenge of living God's way, (letting go of the pleasures of the world) and embracing God's perspective. In doing so, let the Spirit of God guide and lead you into all truth. As we embrace these truths and grow in love, we become the women God created us to be.

1 John -The challenge of Love Part 1

Background
1 John 1 was written by John the Apostle, one of the twelve and is thought to be the disciple that was closest to Jesus. It is likely that he was one of the two disciples of John the Baptist who followed Jesus when he was pointed out to them at the Jordan River where John the Baptist was baptising.

John 1:35-40 speaks of two disciples, Andrew the brother of Simon Peter is one of them, the other is un-named but is likely to be John. He was certainly present at the wedding of Cana a few days later because he wrote about it. John had a brother James and their Father was Zebedee. He worked in Partnership with Andrew and Simon (Peter)

John is first named as a follower of Jesus in Matthew 4:18-22, and Luke 5:1-11 where Jesus calls them as they are repairing their nets beside the Sea of Galilee. John with his brother James, had a reputation as a Son of Thunder, and they were more than happy to call down lightning on people as punishment. However he was very loyal to Jesus and was his closest friend. Whenever Jesus just wanted a few people with him, it was always Peter, James and John.

It was John who followed Jesus to the high priests house with Peter and who was acquainted with the High Priest and so was allowed to go further into the courtyard. John 18:15 (Peter had to stay outside.) And John was at the cross. John 19:25-27

After Pentecost it was Peter and John who went to pray and who, in the name of Jesus, raised the lame man to walk (Acts 3:1-6) and afterwards appeared before the Jewish Council and spoke boldly of Jesus.

His writings
He is responsible for the Gospel of John; 1 John; 2 John; 3 John and the book of Revelation. Much of what he writes is about God’s love. He was transformed from a man of reactive inclinations – Son of Thunder- to a man who totally understood the amazing love and grace of God and its importance to living as followers of Christ. These books were written later in his life from Ephesus and from Patmos.

John spent most of his ministry life in Ephesus. It is believed that of all the apostles, he is the only one who actually died a natural death. He was exiled to the island of Patmos for preaching the word of God and for his testimony about Jesus. Revelation 2:9 (Patmos is a small island in the Aegean Sea).

Chapter 1
1 John 1
“We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life.”

John is an eyewitness to the life of Jesus. The first chapter of 1 John spells out clearly who Jesus is. John wants to make sure that those who read or hear his words understand exactly who Jesus is, what he has done and how we are to live in response. There are many truths in this small chapter.

Truth 1
Jesus existed in the flesh and is the one revealed by the Father - 1 John 1:2. This is very clearly designated in this Scripture and elsewhere in his writings. The Gospel of John Chapter 1 is a prime example.

John 1:1-5
New Living Translation (NLT)
Prologue: Christ, the Eternal Word
1 In the beginning the Word already existed.
    The Word was with God,
    and the Word was God.
2 He existed in the beginning with God.
3 God created everything through him,
    and nothing was created except through him.
4 The Word gave life to everything that was created,[a]
    and his life brought light to everyone.
5 The light shines in the darkness,
    and the darkness can never extinguish it.[b]
John the Apostle makes it very clear that Jesus is the one expected – he is the Messiah - he is God in the flesh.

John 1:10-14
New Living Translation (NLT)
10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
14 So the Word became human[a] and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.[b] And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

To all who believed – to those who accepted who he was/is – they have the right to be become children of God. Our new life in Christ is based squarely on who Jesus is. And the Apostle John, writing the Gospel and writing his letters, late in his life – puts it clearly. Jesus is the one that was expected.

Challenge 1
Do we believe Jesus is the Son of God?

This is a truth that must be answered by each one of us. Our salvation relies on it.

Truth 2
God is light – there is no darkness in him.

"If we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in darkness we are lying;" –1 John 1:5-6.

This is a tough statement. Our lives are to reflect the light of God. We cannot continue to live the old way, once we have experienced God's life in our life. Jesus himself said that He is the light of the world, and in him we too are the light of the world.

John 8:12
New Living Translation (NLT)
Jesus, the Light of the World
12 Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

Matthew 5:14
New Living Translation (NLT)
14 “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.

WE are to be a beacon of light in a lost community. The way we live will be a reflection of how well we understand this. We are not perfect, but we can choose to live in a way that reflects the grace of God, the love of God and the Holiness of God.

Challenge 2
Does my life – the way I live- show that I have chosen to live in the light of God’s grace?

Truth 3
God’s forgiveness is available when we ask for it. We all Stuff up and need forgiveness. John says that we are all sinners, 1 John 1:8. We are saved by grace and our lives are to reflect the light of God. But we will make mistakes – not if – but when - and when we do, God forgives when we ask.

John says that none of us can say we are without sin. To do so is not living in the truth. In fact it says that we deceive ourselves if we think we have no sin. The great news in this chapter is that God forgives us and we can live in the light of God because of his forgiveness.

He cleanses us from all unrighteousness.
He makes us right and holy.
He gives us a robe of righteousness that is in Christ.

There is therefore an expectation that we will choose to live in forgiveness; that we will choose to confess our sin and not to hide our sin. There is an assurance that if we will have the courage to confess to God, we will be forgiven.

Challenge 3
Will I take responsibility for my mistakes and my stuff and seek God’s grace and forgiveness?

I’ve heard so many people say – "I’m not good enough to go to church, I’m not good enough to come to God." That is the whole point. None of us are good enough. But the grace of God is more than able to make us right with God if we accept it.

People tend to pull away from God when they stuff up; instead, we are supposed to seek him out when we stuff up. God's promise to us is acceptance, love and forgiveness.

So: Be the person who is confident in God, in his love, grace and forgiveness, and live as a light of that grace in our community.

Interesting article on syria

The Syria many wouldnt know once existed 1:02pm, 9 Mar FOR the past three years, Syria has been making headlines the world over for all the wrong reasons. Now marking its third anniversary, the war in Syria began when its people expressed frustration with the ruling autocratic government, headed for decades by the al-Assad family. But life was not always so grim for Syria’s people. Once regarded as a political and military heavyweight in the region, Syria’s rich history and cultural significance is both complex and diverse. Before the war, Syria had vibrant, bustling marketplaces in the old cities of Damascus and Aleppo, and its own innovative IT industry despite economic sanctions imposed by the west. Syrian refugee Tara, 20, and her family have remained resilient and optimistic for the past three years. Though forced two years ago to completely stop their lives as they knew it and flee to neighbouring Lebanon to survive, they still believe in peace and justice for their country. Here are five things Tara shares about the Syria many wouldn’t know once existed. World famous literature and cinema exports Syria boasts one of the oldest and sophisticated literary traditions in the world, with a rich tradition of storytelling that dates back thousands of years. Poetry and the short story are widely read and recited, and world-renowned writers such as Nizar Qabbani, Ghada al-Samman, who wrote prolifically on cultural identity and the clash between tradition and progress. Films have been produced in Syria since the 1920s. Musicals and light comedies were popular through the late 1940s. Syria has spawned several internationally regarded filmmakers, including Omar Amirallay and Usama Muhammed, but their films, which deal with social issues, have been banned in the country. Oscar-nominated International actor Omar Sharif — of Lawrence of Arabia fame, is of Syrian descent. The ‘souk’ was the centre of the city Spices, jewellery, cloth, traditional handicrafts, and a variety of foods compete for space in the crowded alleyways of the old souks in Damascus and Aleppo — despite the existence of modern new shopping centres and supermarkets which have not replaced this folkish Arab institution. Souks are not just commercial centres but gathering places as well, and bargaining is always a part of the adventure. Syria was also a major centre for weaving and textiles — ancient weaving techniques like grading are still practised today and found at the heart of these souks. Sweet, sweet Syria Houses would once wake up to the sweet baking smells of bakeries and patisseries parked on every corner. Food is an important part of many celebrations, central at weddings, parties, and other festivities, and when it comes to their rich tapestry of desserts — the rule is, the more syrupy — the better. People love to gather around the table full of delicious desserts … It’s rare to find people visiting family or friends empty-handed — they always take something, especially a platter of sweets. “Syrias are old-fashioned, they welcome anyone who knocks on their doors ... and they are very generous — and you definitely see that when you visit them,” says Tara. “And this while listening to our elders tell us love stories from the past.” The diversity of the Syrian people For centuries, Syria has been a melting pot of religion and ethnicities. According to Tara, who is Orthodox Christian, and her fiance, a Sunni Muslim, mixed marriages are common than people think — though since the start of the war, it has been increasingly difficult. Syria’s majority are Sunni Muslim, while 12 more than cent are Alawite Muslims and four per cent are Druze. The remainder of the population is 10 per cent Christian with small Jewish enclaves in Syrian cities, while northeast of Syria has a Kurdish majority, nine per cent of the population. “I’ve lived in Syria my whole life, and I never had a problem as a Christian. Muslims were always helpful, including when it came to things like finding a job,” Tara says. It’s a cradle of civilisation in the Middle East Tara grew up seeing Syria a hotspot destination in the region, and wanted to help show it off to the world. Before the war — She only had two subjects left until she completed her undergraduate degree in tourism at the university in Hama, Syria’s fourth largest city. Full of ancient Mosques, Roman ruins, castles built during the Crusades and souks, Syria has been a cradle of civilisation for at least 10,000 years. It has been part of the major empires of history, including Egyptian, Persian and Roman. “Syria is one of the most beautiful countries ... everyone used to come here to see our monuments and old cities, from Palmyra, Sidnaya to the old castle in Aleppo and Kasab, where the ancient Folklore Forest stands,” Tara says. The Ummayyad mosque, one of the most sacred places in the Islamic world, is regarded as the architectural ‘jewel of Damascus’, with its gold and coloured mosaic and opulent interior. “I often think of Syria as a magic book full of adventures and stories about history and love and war — and I wait for the day this war will end and become a story.” * As told to Amnesty International’s Sara Saleh by 20 year old Tara*, one of the 2.5 million refugees who have fled the war in Syria.