19/02/2012 - THE LOVE OF GOD’S SERVANTS

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So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

I Thessalonians 2:8

One of the great works of God\’s love poured into our hearts is the power to love each other. Although we are from different families and cultures, when we get to know a member of the Body of Christ he or she becomes dear to us. It is true that sometimes we are faced with people trying to pass as lambs of the Lord’s sheepfold but the Spirit of God immediately shows us that they are dangerous and wild goats. The good thing is that not even this fact can make our love grow cold.

What the Lord’s love causes us to feel for the other members of His body is something beyond explanation. It is so strong that we rejoice in the victory they achieve and get sad for the defeats they suffer because we feel as if they were our own. When the lost who live in the flesh see such an attitude they almost always think evil of us, therefore it is advisable to abstain from every form of evil so that no one is offended and so that the devil cannot prevent you from going into the light (I Thessalonians 5:22).

You cannot be careful enough because many may perceive this love as the carnal love common to sinners, and there is also the risk of someone who is not yet matured enough in faith perceiving your dedication as flirtation or offer for sin. Paul said he would never eat meat again lest he made his brother stumble (I Corinthians 8:13).

Goodwill, kindness and other good attributes are marks that distinguish the ones who are truly saved from those who have not yet entered the narrow gate and the difficult way because they almost always only sympathize with those who can give them something in return. It is a selfish love – if that can be called love at all. But we, even without our brethren’s knowledge, often devote most of our time to praying for those who are under some temptation and when they come out victorious our joy is complete.

The truth is that God\’s love not only leads us to announce the Gospel, but also, if possible, our own soul. It is great when people understand that we are pure, holy, and have nothing to do with the evil that runs rampant in the world. These people then grow in faith and in the love of God as well as in all other areas. Those who live in the flesh do a great evil to you and all those who come in contact with them. While not truly serving God, they prevent us from seeing the blessing that the Lord would pour into your life.

Let the love of God be poured into your heart. Because we are part of each other, we will be greatly blessed if other siblings abound in divine love. How good and how pleasant it will be when God’s children dwell together in unity; it will do a tremendous good to us (Psalm 133)!

In Christ with love,

R. R. Soares