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Love Your Neighbor
by Faith Noles John 15:9-13, KJV 'As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love. If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is My commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.' In this passage of scripture, Jesus gave us the great commandment to love one another even as He has loved us. What greater love can a man show than to lay down his life for another person? Yet Jesus died for us while we were yet sinners. But we are not only commanded to love our brothers and sisters in Christwe should also love our enemies. "We are no nearer God than we are to the person or group of human beings for who we care the least." (author unknown) I John 4:20, KJV "If a man says, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he that loveth not his brother, whom he hath seen, how can he love God, whom he hath not seen?' Love without loving deeds is empty and without meaning as are acts of kindness without true love as the motivation. Jesus had every cause possible to reject mankind; yet He loved us with a long suffering love. Jesus didn't love us because of what we could offer Him, but He loved us because of what He could offer us. Ask not how someone can benefit you, but ask how you can benefit them. Love is longsuffering and patient; love is forgiveness. Matthew 6:15, KJV 'But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.' I took my plea before God's throne, to seek the Master's face; Yet I could not find forgiveness nor God's amazing grace, For I had hatred within my heart towards a fellow man, I had refused to forgive this friend, to lend a helping hand; So I left my plea before the throne and sought this fellow's peace; Now God accepts my heartfelt prayer and offers sweet release, The love of God shines through me to reach each and every man, Now, by the grace of God, I lend a helping hand. For the love of God is shed abroad, it can't be kept within. If you allow hatred in your heart, then in your heart you've sinned. Faith Noles is a retired Registered Nurse, wife, mother and grandmother who is passionate about spreading the gospel. Article Source: http://www.faithwriters.com |