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Theme: BE YE ALL OF ONE MIND
Text: “But who so hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” -1 John 3:17, 18.
Comment: To show how the love of God should abide in us, St. John applies a question in today’s text. A person who has more than enough to satisfy his needs and chooses to be stingy and does not want to reach out to others who are in need shows lack of love. Christians should be compassionate and show concern for the welfare of others and not indulge in mere expression of goodwill. “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled, notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” – James 2:15,16.
An important aspect of being compassionate and pitiful is helping one another’s faith. Those who are mature in understanding of the way of God should help the faith of the weaker brethren and not do things that will further weaken their faith. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:1, 2.
We should endear ourselves to others by deliberately going out of our way to seek their comfort and wellbeing. This gives joy and inner satisfaction in the Lord. Remember “… It is more blessed to give than to receive.” – Acts 20:35.