We can only imagine how, work places, families, friendships and relationships world-wide, would be, if we all followed the command of God, to love each other? Many Bible writers encouraged their fellow believers to love others. To quote from Paul, in Romans 12: 19, 20 “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’”
If we all followed the command of God, to love our fellow man and walk blamelessly before God, we would not need law enforcement, and world conditions would be as, originally in the Garden of Eden. Here’s harmlessness portrayed and what an attractive thought! Romans 13: 8, 9 “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’” After all, we have nothing that matters, to lose, by loving others. Verse 10”Love does no harm to a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfilment of the law. Ideally God wants us all, to treat others as we would like to be treated ourselves, because He is love and willingly loves us all, though we deserve not His total and continuing love. I guess put another way, how dare we treat badly any of His creation. Each person who has ever lived, is precious in the sight of the Lord, and Jesus gave all in His life and death, to save every one; eternally.
It is never good to put things off and procrastinate. This is especially so, when it comes to actively and freely spreading the love God has given to us, and in turn reap blessings for our own well-being, and that of others. Verses 11, 12 “And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.”
Jesus never withheld healing or aid from any needy person, despite the disease or situation being because of their own sin and wrong doing. He did not turn a ‘blind eye’ either, and in loving concern for their soul, asked them to ‘go sin no more’. It was His loving care, not censure, that broke their defiant hearts, and then they wanted to forsake any godless way, and follow His example of right doing. Romans 15: 1, 2 “We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbour for his good, leading to edification.” When we sincerely love Jesus, we do not expect to have it easy all the time, and just live for ourselves; for He has bought the freedom of each person; at a price. Paul reminded his congregation of believers, Verse 3 “For even Christ did not please Himself; but it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.’” (quoted from Ps. 69:9). But apart from that, when we claim to be a follower of Jesus, we are strengthened to do Christs works of self-denial. Verse 5, 7 “Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus.” 7 “Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the Glory of God.”
I am so grateful Jesus, for Your moment by moment, love and care, and ask that You have my heart and mind, again today. Fill me, with Your love and grace, and the ability to truly reveal these gifts to others with whom I interact with each day.