Download MP3
Read: 1 John 3:16-18 NIV
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:16-18 NIV)What are you willing to do for your brother/sister? How far can you go? Do you make time to at least know how your brother/sister is doing?
There are 4 C's that can motivate us to do good towards our brothers/sisters:
1. Concern
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." (Philippians 2:3-4 NIV)God is teaching us to not only strive for our own sake. Living a Christian life isn't just about living a good life for ourselves but to live for others as well. We have the duty to look out for each other and reach out as much as we can showing our deepest concern through truthful and sincere acts towards others.
2. Cooperation
As much as possible we live in peace with each other.But despite that, though we experience challenges in life, God's peace is better than our own kind of peace. We must cooperate in doing things that will help everyone, even ourselves. That will eventually lead to the glorification of our God the Father. We may get tired at some point, but let's all remember that we also have our brother/sister to lean on. On the other hand, when we feel we are strong, we must serve as the shoulders to lean on for those who are weak.
"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves." (Romans 15:1 NIV)
When you are weak, lean for a while on those who are strong and then be strong again through the grace of God. But when you are strong, humble yourself that you may bear with the failings of the weak, letting them know that they can be strong again as you are now.
3. Conviction
What does it mean to have this conviction? It means we that don't only believe but we strongly believe; that we are assured; that we are most certain; that everything's crystal clear; that we are actually convinced! But convinced in what? We must always have the conviction that Jesus is the answer to everything!When we want only the best for our brothers/sisters, we have the will to lead everything we do to Christ, for we know that the answer to all questions is Christ.
"Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV)
4. Consistency
Be consistent in setting our priorities. When we truly want to help someone, we must learn not to worry about what others might think of our actions. As long as these actions are to do good to our friend and will do no harm to others, other's opinions will not matter. When we are consistent in prioritizing Jesus in our lives, we will always be successful in helping our brother/sister."That is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith." (Romans 1:12 NIV)
It's our genuine actions that speak the truth of what our intentions are towards our brothers/sisters. Actions of love only speak louder than words when these actions are true to your love for others. After all, Jesus said in John 13:34, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
Photo by: Jaime Legaspino
Connect With Us