A reminder for
today
Keep on loving
each other as brothers and sisters. Don't forget to show hospitality to
strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without
realizing it! Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself.
Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own
bodies. (Hebrews 13:1-3)
Why does Paul write this in his conclusion in Hebrews? Paul basically
says that we must not stop loving other and he says that we should show hospitality
to strangers. He asks that we remember those in prison and those that are being
mistreated as if they were us. When Paul says that we must love other, he
compares that love to the love we have for a brother or a sister. Why do we
need to show love and why does Paul often writes about love. You see God loved
us first. He loved us before we were conceived and He still loves us with that same
unconditional love. Love is a strong feeling of affection but God’s love us indescribable.
Paul focusses on this, because this is how we lead the lost to God and the
salvation that lies within Jesus Christ. We know our God exists and we know
Jesus is the Son of God, but there as so many that does not know this. To help
them, we must be willing to listen and step into their shoes. Jesus came down
to earth to step into our shoes and understand the challenges that we face. So why
can we not step into the shoes of other? If we say God is love, we need to show
this by the way we love other. Jesus made this clear when He said that we must
love our neighbour as we love ourselves. Who is our neighbour? Everyone is. From
the people that lives next to you to those that are in prison. God does not
stop loving you, because you are in prison. God wants you to find your way back
to Him and Heaven rejoices for each lost one that returns home.
Jesus did not leave and said “Have a nice day”, he left with
these words: "I have been given all
authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all
the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given
you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the
age."
Let us walk with Jesus and show His love to ALL. I know it
is hard to react to hate with love, but the power of love will overcome all evil
and remember all of this is temporary. For a little while, we will have pain
and suffering, but for eternity, we will live in love. When you talk to that
atheist or that prisoner or even your friend, remember to talk with love and
remember them in your prayers.
Lord, we pray that you will fill us with your love and lead
us to give your love to other. Let us see them the way you see them and break
our hearts for what breaks yours. In Jesus name.
Have an awesome day, dear friend of Jesus.
Cheers