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From the Pastor...
LOVE ONE ANOTHER
During these months, we are reminding ourselves
who we are as a people of God, why we exists, and where
are heading. Jesus mentioned six characteristics in John
chapter 17, that should be found among His followers.
We have already looked at the characteristics of
joy, holiness and witnessing. This month we want to
consider the mark of LOVE. Jesus prays in His great
prayer to the Father, that we might know and have the love
of God. Without love, all else is for nought. Paul knew this.
After talking about faith, hope and love, he concludes by
saying, "But the greatest of these is love." It is the new
commandment that Jesus gave his disciples to follow: "As I
loved you, so you must love one another."
In verse 26 of John chapter 17: Jesus prays: "I
have made you known to them, and will continue to make
you known in order that the love you have for me may be in
them, and that I myself may be in them." What can we say
about love on the basis of this verse.
1. First of all, we can say that it has its source in
God. It comes from God. James Packer describes God's
love "as an exercise of His goodness towards individual
sinners, whereby, having identified Himself with their
welfare, He has given His son to be their Saviour, and now
brings them to know and enjoy Him in a covenant
relationship." Another person explains the love of God in
writing, "My grace, saith God, shall be yours to pardon you,
and my power shall be yours to protect you, and my
goodness shall be yours to relieve you, and my mercy shall
be yours to supply you, and my glory shall be yours to
crown you." His grace, power, wisdom, goodness, mercy
and glory are exercised and demonstrated out of love.
Such is God's love. And how do we know that God loves
us. By the Old Testament, yes; by the teaching of the New
Testament, yes. But most specifically and clearly through
the cross of Christ. As we understand our position before
God; condemned to eternal separation from God, because
of wilful disobedience, and inspite of this, God intervening
in our history, through the death of Christ, so that our sin
would no longer be held against us, and a bridge to the
Father made so that we can know Him in a personal way,
and have fellowship with Him. This can have only one
result: "Love so amazing, so divine, demands our my soul,
my life, my all."
2. Secondly, we find in our text that Jesus does
not merely show us where can find love, He also shows us
where we can demonstrate love. For He goes on to pray
that "the love you have for me may be in them, and that I
myself may be in them." Love is to be shown in our lives.
Why is Jesus concerned that His love should be seen in us.
He is concerned about it simply because it is only in His
followers that anyone in this age, or in any other age except
His own, can see the love of God. But how do we do it?
How do we love one another? How do we put this great
love of God dwelling in us, into practice?
One way to love one another is by listening to each
other. God listens to us, and in response to our deepest
needs says, "call upon me in the day of trouble," "cast your
burdens upon the Lord," "come unto me all you who labour
and are heavily laden." We need to listen very carefully to
one another, and hear not only the words spoken but the
feelings felt. Resulting from our careful listening, we can
give practical help as needed. We can also give prayer
support, and words of encouragement when needed.
When we love people we will also share with them the
glorious message of the Gospel, that, "God so loved the
world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him shall not perish, but having everlasting life."
John 3:16
3. Thirdly, we must serve. We love by serving. In
the thirteenth chapter of John, we have a demonstration of
what serving means, as Jesus got on His knees and
washed the feet of His disciples. Jesus concluded, "I your
lord and teacher, have just washed your feet. You then,
should wash one another's feet." This is an emphasis, that
is largely forgotten today, even in the church. We are
servants of one another. We are to love one another by
serving each other. You have been given gifts by God, not
for your benefit, but for the benefit of others. As we serve
one another, and move out into the world and love those we
encounter, God will use that testimony of love to draw
people to Himself.
In Christ's love,
Floyd McPhee 
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