The Extent of Love
‘But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you’
(Matthew 5:44).
We must love our fellow believers. But Jesus does not stop there.
He summons us to extend our love to others, even our enemies.
After all, ‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son’ (John 3:16).
He shows that in the parable of the Good Samaritan as well.
Thank God we have seen down through the ages the active work of Christians
caring for people in their community and in the whole world.
Because God shows us what love is, we love our neighbour.
I have always been struck at the teaching of 1 Corinthians 13 as well, the great chapter on love.
You can do all sorts of Christian things – even if ‘I give all I possess to the poor…
but do not have love, I gain nothing’ (v3). It is not merely the deed. It is the heart of love which matters.
Question for thought: Do I look upon others with the eyes of love?
Gracious Heavenly Father, we pray for members in the Diocese of Down and
Dromore in Northern Ireland, that they may have many opportunities to serve you
and provide love and care, particularly through craft classes, visiting in prisons,
providing ‘away from it all’ holidays, wash bags for local hospitals and knitting for those in need.
May these opportunities show your love and care for their neighbours. Amen