Word for the month
Diane Bailey - May 2019
Diane Bailey - May 2019
Love one another as I have loved you. This is such a vast subject to explore so I am just touching the surface. We begin by looking at Jesus command... So now I am giving you a new commandment. Love each other, just as I have loved you. You should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are My disciples. John 13:34,35
There are many types of love in the Bible: Eros love, romantic love, storge love, family love, Philia love, brotherly love, agape love, God's divine love, to name but a few.
In the story of Jonathan and David, a great friendship between the son of King Saul and David the future King of Israel became brotherly love, which caused a lasting pact between them, enabling David to honour Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, showing him favour when he died (2 Samuel 9:1 to 12).
In John 13, we see God's divine love in action where Jesus took off His robe, wrapped a towel around His waist and poured water into a basin. Then He began to wash His disciplesظآ feet, drying them with His towel. Simon Peter reacted and protested but Jesus insisted He carry on and taught them humility and an example to wash each other's feet.
We may not be able to do this always but the point Jesus was making was that slaves are neither greater than their master nor the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. How can we show love in our families, which sometimes are the hardest people to reach? Storge love is described as family love. In my family, divorce has been a stumbling block for many generations but gradually, because of the Holy Spirit's input, reconciliation has been possible and my family and I have been reconciled. I look back in amazement at what God has done and is doing in helping me to love where hatred and the enemy have ruled. Now doors have been opened and God's love brought into lives that were lost in darkness. Praise Him.
In February people celebrate Valentineظآs Day and it seems that because people are united in this tradition, they love in a romantic way... Eros love. We all love a romantic story but sometimes intentions are misguided and disappointments arise. Samson and Delilah were in love but her allegiance was to the Philistines w ho used her as a spy, finally trapping Samson into revealing the power of his strength. Eros love doesnظآt always work out as planned.
Because we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Saviour and Lord, He disciples us and leads us on the journey He has planned for us. In Hebrews 13:1 to 6, we are reminded to keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters, not forgetting to show hospitality to strangers and remembering those in prison. God says He will never fail us or abandon us, so we can say with confidence... The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear what mere people do to me.
As Christians, we have a responsibility to love our brothers and sisters and to feed them with God's blessings. Matthew 5:16 says Let your light shine before men that they see your good deeds and glorify your Father in Heaven.
The love of God is given freely to us, so we don't have to work for it. In this chaotic world at the moment with wars, hatred, persecution, confusion and ungodly laws, let us, as Christians, boldly proclaim our Christian heritage and learn to love one another, being humble, gentle, patient and tolerant with one another in unity with the Holy Spirit, so that the world may see Jesus living in us (Ephesians 4:2, 3).
The old hymn reminds us...