This past Sunday we looked at Jesus’ one commandment for us—to love. He says in John 15:12, “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.”
Can you think of a more pleasant and agreeable command? His command is not hard labor, structured religion, avoiding sin, or giving money. It’s love. It’s not having a shiny exterior or perfect attendance at church or a sparkling attitude all the time. It’s love. It’s unfettered affection for people—for each other. That is pleasant.
Love wants the best. If we love ourselves, we want the best for ourselves. If we love family, we want the best for them. If we love our neighbors and community, we want the best for them. So Jesus’ command to us is to want the best for others.
To love is to tell
What is the best? What is the most lasting and fulfilling way that we can show others we care about them? It’s the gospel.
If we truly believe that everyone is enslaved to sin and hopeless without the salvation that comes only through trusting in Christ, then the most loving thing we can do for them is to point them to the gospel.
People need forgiveness because they’ve sinned, healing because they’re hurt, wholeness because they’re broken, rest because they’re tired, and purpose because they’re wandering. They find all of this in Christ. It’s our duty, and delight, to steer them toward Christ.
Fishing Day—March 24
Next Sunday, March 24, we will be going out as a church body into our community to love others by pointing them to the gospel. We may share the gospel with them. We may communicate how much we care by showing up and spending a few moments talking to them. We may just invite them to our Easter services. But we will show them in some small way that we love them.
Easter Sunday—March 31
This year we are having additional events on Easter to hopefully help visitors participate in something other than just our morning worship service. For this reason, we have restructured our Sunday morning schedule. Please take note of these changes.
I hope that as we approach the Easter season the love of God will be perfected in us in such a way that we see it flow out of us toward others. Christ is risen!
Can you think of a more pleasant and agreeable command? His command is not hard labor, structured religion, avoiding sin, or giving money. It’s love. It’s not having a shiny exterior or perfect attendance at church or a sparkling attitude all the time. It’s love. It’s unfettered affection for people—for each other. That is pleasant.
Love wants the best. If we love ourselves, we want the best for ourselves. If we love family, we want the best for them. If we love our neighbors and community, we want the best for them. So Jesus’ command to us is to want the best for others.
To love is to tell
What is the best? What is the most lasting and fulfilling way that we can show others we care about them? It’s the gospel.
If we truly believe that everyone is enslaved to sin and hopeless without the salvation that comes only through trusting in Christ, then the most loving thing we can do for them is to point them to the gospel.
People need forgiveness because they’ve sinned, healing because they’re hurt, wholeness because they’re broken, rest because they’re tired, and purpose because they’re wandering. They find all of this in Christ. It’s our duty, and delight, to steer them toward Christ.
Fishing Day—March 24
Next Sunday, March 24, we will be going out as a church body into our community to love others by pointing them to the gospel. We may share the gospel with them. We may communicate how much we care by showing up and spending a few moments talking to them. We may just invite them to our Easter services. But we will show them in some small way that we love them.
Easter Sunday—March 31
This year we are having additional events on Easter to hopefully help visitors participate in something other than just our morning worship service. For this reason, we have restructured our Sunday morning schedule. Please take note of these changes.
I hope that as we approach the Easter season the love of God will be perfected in us in such a way that we see it flow out of us toward others. Christ is risen!