“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 13:34-35). This command by Jesus Christ to His disciples was the mark of their special bond, created by His great love for them. They were to follow His example and love one another in the way He had loved them. In turn, this love was to be the distinguishing mark of the followers of Jesus Christ. It is not a suggestion or something to consider or think about. We do not have a choice; it is a command from the Master that must be obeyed! “MUST” is a keyword.
You cannot love God’s way and not care or be moved by the needs of others. What can we do to meet someone’s need(s) beyond prayer? We must have genuine care and concern for those in need and do something about it. God’s way is not just about saying it but practicing it. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). The world was lost in sin and darkness. God saw our need and selectively gave us His Son because He cared.
When we pray before meals, we usually ask God to provide for those who do not have. Are we just being religious, or have we done anything about it? Jesus Christ led by example. In Matthew 14:13-21 and 15:29-39, Jesus had great compassion for the people and provided them with food to eat. The care that the world needs today is that which is out of loving God’s way.
APPLICATION
Let us practice sacrificial care by not withholding anything that we can release to those in need – love, uplifting words, gifts, prayers, good acts. Let’s obey the command to love God’s way.
PRAYER
Dear LORD, help me to demonstrate love in Your way by caring for those in need.
