By: Rev. J. Loren Russell
John 13:34-35 NKJV
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
There is no better gift that can be given than the gift of love. Mandated by Christ of His disciples, their genuine love for one another identified them as His followers. Love is a bond that tied their hearts together. Whether by friendship, romance, family, or divinity, love makes everything better. We are recognized by our love of one another.
The greatest of the commandments was to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and strength. Love of one another was a new commandment that Jesus told His Disciples they were also to do. When they loved each other, they automatically fulfilled all the other commandments from the book of Exodus (20:3-17). This commandment, by extension, was given to us also.
We are to love the people placed in our lives just like Jesus’ Disciples were to love one another because the love of God the Father is inextricably bound together by our love of one another. We Like Jesus’ Disciples, are also recognized by the love we show to one another, not only those who are our friends, or family, or in our circle of influence, but our love of everyone, even our enemies.
The second Sunday of May is recognized as Mother’s Day. Restaurants are booked solid, flower shops are sold out, greeting card racks are empty, and jewelry stores are on back order. We are recognized by the way we say, “I love you” to the women who bought us into, and/or nurtured us through our lives. Let’s take that love to the next level and be recognized by loving one another as Christ commanded His Disciples.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Be Blessed!
Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church and is the spiritual leader of both LaGree Baptist Church and the Evangelical Church of God, all in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096), and hosts “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on Facebook Live. Be sure to Friend “Matters of Faith” on YouTube and email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smash words.com/books/view/993177.
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