Love One Another

John 15:9,12

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love…This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Is it really possible to love others the way Jesus loved us? Jesus, the Son of God, came to earth to give His life on the cross. With His blood that He shed, He made atonement for the sins of all humankind that ever lived and those who would be born after He rose and ascended to the Father. How is it possible for us to love in such a measure? With all of our faults and humanity, Jesus said, and commanded that we are to love one another as He and the Father have loved us. Man, with all of his good intentions, is not able to accomplish this. But, with God, all things are possible (Matt 19:26). To love as God loved is not a feeling or emotion, but a choice. The choice to love comes from the Father above. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” (James 1:17) Love is a gift and fruit of the Spirit that is given to us by the Holy Spirit that is with us. As believers, we seek the Holy Spirit not only to be with us, but in us to guide us into all truth. The truth is that God is love, and with the help of His Spirit, He can lead us into this love to love one another. An example of this love was recently demonstrated by the wife of Charlie Kirk, who was shot by a man who hated the truth that Charlie was speaking. Charlie’s wife, Erika, in front of hundreds of thousands of people, publicly forgave this man. Such love is not possible with the human nature we are born with. Let us examine our hearts and ask God to search us out. To remove any shadow of hate, and fill us with His divine love. When His love is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, we are then able to fulfill His commandment, and love others as He has loved us. 

Part of the Body of Christ

 1 Corinthians 12:12
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

How refreshing it is to meet a complete stranger and find out they also are Christians. Our hearts and spirits are seamlessly bonded together as one. We are part of the body of Christ. We may have different opinions on Bible interpretation and application, but this one thing we have in common, we belong to Christ, and are part of the family of God. As part of the body of Christ, we all have our part in building the kingdom of God. Eph. 4:11. “And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers.” Everyone in the body is important. The work that God has called us to do may not seem like much when we compare it to others who have been recognized for their contributions to ministry. It is easy to think that the work we do is not significant and has little impact on the grand scheme of God’s plan. But little is much when God is in it! The little mustard seed that we plant in Jesus' name can bring glory to His name. Luke 13:19. “It is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree; and the fowls of the air lodged in the branches of it.” How important it is that we be all that God wants us to be. He has not called us to do this work alone. The body of Christ works together to accomplish His purpose. He desires that we be obedient to His will for our lives, whatever that may be. God calls everyone to do their part in the work of the kingdom. Are you willing to use the gifts and talents that God has given you to make the body of Christ functional? The work you do may not be seen by others, but all things done for Jesus is important work, and God sees your heart and will reward you according to your obedience. So find your niche in the body of Christ and do it with all your heart and might. “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might”- Ecc. 9:10