1 John 3:14-17 If we love our brothers and sisters who are believers, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them. We know what real love is because Jesus gave up His life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?
The evidence or proof of whether you are a Christian is in love. It is impossible to love and have hate in your heart for your fellow brother or sister. In 1 Timothy 3:15, the scripture tells us that the household of God is the family of God—not just any ordinary gathering. It is the gathering of God’s family and therefore is the most important of all families. The purpose of the family of God is to be a support for each other.
Hebrews 10:25 commands us not to forsake the gathering of ourselves. Meeting together is for mutual encouragement and support. In Psalm 68:6, God sets the lonely in the family of God—the church. The church is a safe place—a hub of love and care.
Today, the church is being used for a variety of purposes that are not aligned with God’s Word—personal gain, buying and selling, and networking, to name a few. But God’s church, as prescribed and mandated in His Word, is for supporting each other—to share in each other’s joy and sorrow.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
This passage tells us that God comforts us so we can comfort others. That is how the family of God works. In Galatians 6:10, we are commanded not to forget to do good to all, especially to those in the household of faith. There is a special call to the family of God because it is the most important family. Hebrews 13:16 calls doing good “sacrifices that are well-pleasing to God.” This is an active duty. If all you do is for yourself, then your life is empty. It is a deliberate act to plan to do good for your brothers and sisters. We must look for ways to bless others. God is well pleased with that kind of sacrifice.
Let’s endeavor to find ways to touch other people’s lives. If you see a brother in need, help him. It’s not limited to money but can include resources, clothing, or information. What is most important is the love you have in your heart. We are better when we operate in love all around us.
God is never unjust; He does not forget our labor of love. The desire is that we love completely (Hebrews 6:10-11). This is the proof that we have love. The agape love of God in our hearts, shown to others, is practical.
James 2:15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Goodbye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
James tells us in no uncertain terms that it is no good to see a brother or sister in need and, instead of helping them, you only pray with them. What type of faith is that?
The early church strove for equality. They ensured that no one was without. Our aim is to water others—ensuring that others’ needs are met, whether naturally, emotionally, or otherwise.
We have an obligation to love all (Romans 13:8). The measure of our lives is in love. We love as Christ has loved us. It is to rejoice and weep with others. It is to carry one another’s burdens, and so we fulfill the law of Christ. When a brother or sister is happy, you are happy too.
This is how we evangelize. Love attracts and retains people. The character of God’s love is how we love. It is unconditional (Romans 5:8). People can love as long as you are lovable. For us, we love in spite of others’ bad behavior. It is unconditional.
There is another aspect of God’s love that we must understand: it is universal. It means God loves everyone, excluding none (John 3:16). A believer loves all people and is not tribalistic. There is only one tribe—we are of the tribe of Christ. So we love all people.
In the church, there is equality. We don’t look at others after the flesh. We see beyond and love all people. We love as God has loved us.
James charges that if you favor some over others, how can you claim you are a believer (James 2:1-4)? When we have regard according to status or class, that is an evil judgment.
The charge is to find ways to bless others. Constructively devise a schedule to bless others. Who can you do good for? That is the message, and we will do well to walk in this truth. The evidence of our Christianity is in love for one another.
