Do you care about other people? The kind of caring I am referring to is about loving others which, as a Jesus follower is more than merely being concerned or having a benevolent attitude, or your feeling bad for someone when you hear about a tragedy on the news - it is an action – a response to a situation that someone else finds themselves in. Very often that action will require a sacrifice of some sort on your part.
Jesus and His disciples were having breakfast together
"So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” [Peter] said to [Jesus], “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” [Jesus] said to Peter, “Feed My lambs.” Jesus said to Peter again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter said to Jesus , “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to Peter, “Tend My sheep.” Jesus said to Peter the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because Jesus said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” [I think maybe Peter was thinking to himself - how many times do I have to answer that question] And [Peter] said to [Jesus], “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to Peter, “Feed My sheep." - John 21:15-17
Jesus asked Peter 3 times if Peter loved him. Jesus basically told Peter - walk your talk!
In John 14 Jesus said "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me." - John 14:23-25
So, there it is. Jesus was telling Peter that if Peter loves Jesus, then Peter can show it through obedience. In the same way, if we say we love God but don't obey Him then the undeniable conclusion is that we don't love God like we say we do. We may want to – but – we don’t! There a verse related to this idea that has been a cornerstone in the foundation of our lives and ministry. Galatians 6:2.
"Bear one another's burdens and fulfill the law of Christ."
We are told – commanded actually – the Bible is not a book of suggestions! To join others in carrying the load that they are bearing. And what is the law of Christ? It’s found in Matthew 22:37-39. Love God and then, because we love God, the inevitable result of our sincere love for God is that we love others.
It is easy to have a sympathetic thought when we hear of someone dealing with a hardship, but it’s not so easy to come alongside them and help them bear their load. It will cost you something.
I am thinking about the man in the ditch in Luke chapter 10. The 2 religious men who claimed to love God walked on the other side of the road because they were too busy to help another Jew. Not their problem. Then there was the Samaritan - they were despised by the Jews - and the last person that a Jew would expect to get help from - but the Samaritan crossed the road and sacrificed his time and money to help someone - helping someone if the tables were turned would probably not give him the time of day. It was someone the Samaritan had never met before. But the remarkable thing is that the Samaritan did not hesitate to extend grace and mercy to someone he did not even know.
So how about you? Is your plate too full to make room for others? Is your life too busy to say yes to Jesus when you feel the spiritual urge to respond? I am certain you remember to story about the sheep and the goats in John 25.
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." - John 25:31-40
If you are indeed born again then you are a sheep. The sheep saw the need and responded to it. They were reflecting Jesus.
No greater love has one man [or woman] than this – that they lay down their lives for others! John 15:13
Will you love others like that? I don't need to hear your answer - The Lord is not waiting to see if you really do love Him - He already knows. When you do love God you can't help but love others - even - especially - when it is not convenient. The personal cost will not be a consideration. You will gladly lay your life down – Just Like Jesus.
Jesus did not heal everyone - my point is that we must love but, at the same time, be discerning - be sensitive to the prompting of the Spirit and cross the road when the Spirit gives us unction.
Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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