Love One Another

What the World Needs Now Is Love Sweet Love!

/ pastorpete51 / Leave a comment

 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.  John 13:34 ESV

Some years ago I worked trimming trees on a large estate in Katonah, New York. Since the work we did was usually done in the winter, it was a special blessing that tucked into one of the wings of the house was a green house with a small semi-heated area where we could warm ourselves at lunch. Though we rarely saw the owner or even the caretaker we were able to get in because the spare key was kept under the edge of the fountain. That key opened a little door marked, “Service entrance”.

That entrance always reminded me that God also leaves the key to His door under the fountain. At that fountain we find, not a to His service entrance door.

When Jesus gave us His new commandment He required that we love one another in the same way that He had loved us. Then, “How did Jesus love me?” we should ask. Was it not most love of all loves when He gave His life on the cross for our sins? What a mighty Savior who gave Himself humbly for us. If today we will pause at His fountain we will discover there in a hidden place the key to the service entrance to heaven. That key He gives us with His command to love God’s children from every corner of the earth!

I Hope You Are Listening!

/ pastorpete51 / 3 Comments

So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. John 13:34

white framed rectangular mirror

Photo by Abel Tan Jun Yang on Pexels.com

Jesus could have likewise said, “So I am giving you a new commandment. Listen to one another just as I have listened to you…!” Listening is one part of love. Stop for a moment and ask yourself, “How has God listened to you?” Has He listened, not only when it was to his advantage? Has he given His attention only when we were being kind to a stranger or when we were singing in church? No! Fortunately for us God also listened when we got into trouble and when we fell into sin. God has listened at those times and He has been ready to bring us restoration and forgiveness. When we know deep in our hearts that God will always listen, we will be ready to hear what He has to say.

Now think about the people around you in the nursing home. Who is listening to them? Are you? Am I? One woman who was a nursing home resident wrote, “No one touches me who is not paid to do so.” In other words, “No is willing to help me unless it is to their advantage.” We, as Christians have a unique opportunity to show others the love of Christ by listening. When we slow down long enough to hear what others are saying, we are also offering them the hope that God is listening too!