Be Ye Doers. . . Of The Word!

"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
(1 Corinthians 13:13)

Paul wrote these words to the church at Corinth, but they are still true today. As a matter of fact, the church today needs to revisit this truth — "the greatest of these is love." Have you ever considered what true love, as it is described in the Bible, would do for our society? If all those people in America who claim to believe in Christ would adopt love as their code of conduct, we would see some miraculous events take place.

Jesus commanded us to love. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:34-35) The New Testament writers also wrote about this commandment that we love one another. It is a vital part of our Christianity, it is who we are! Paul describes love in a beautiful way, "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."
(1 Corinthians 13:4-a)

So, what kind of miracles could we expect if all those who claim to believe in Christ would follow His command to love one another?

"Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them." (Colossians 3:18-19) The breakdown of the Christian family is the biggest single problem in American society. Just about all other societal ills can be traced back to this failure. I have not researched the reasons for the demise of the Christian family in America. I think we could all name a few factors. The desire for materialism is probably the biggest reason. But what would we see if we, as Christian families, would begin to do what Paul tells us here? First of all we would see a Christian husband and father being the leader of the family. He would lead the family in Bible study and prayer. He would encourage the other family members in faithfulness to Christ and His church. He would be a loving father and husband devoted to the spiritual well-being of his family. The wife would submit herself to the Christian leadership of her husband. She would support him spiritually as he leads the family to a greater love and understanding of Christ. The vows they made to each other – to love and cherish each other till death – would carry them through till they go to be with the Lord.

"Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged." (Colossians 3:20-21) The breakdown of the American family has had the most dramatic affect on children. When families break up, it is the children who suffer the most. It is natural for children to love their parents. All too often, when the family breaks up, the children tend to believe that it is their fault or that one or both parents do not love them. This can be, and often is, devastating to children. It can literally ruin their lives. If the Christian families would remain together, we would see a dramatic change in the lives of those children. Most, if not all, of the problems that children have today – misbehavior in school, teen pregnancy, drugs and alcohol and the like – are a direct result of the breakup of the family or turmoil in the family if it remains in tact. When children become discouraged, this is the result.

"Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.'" (Matthew 25:37-40) It is not enough that we have an earnest, sincere love for our family. As Jesus said, we must love one another. What form does this love take? In the above passage, Jesus tells us. Was Jesus talking about the middle-class Americans setting on the pew next to us on Sunday morning? I don't think so! We could possibly classify these people as the "unlovable." The undesirables in society. The homeless, the poor, the criminals, the junk man who walks up and down our alleys searching for something to sell for a few dollars; this is who Jesus is talking about. The alcoholic, the prostitute, the homosexual and even that neighbor who is so hard to get along with; Jesus is also talking about them. The pesky little kid who is always getting into our flowers, the ones who throw rocks in our pool, the little boys who can't keep their football out of our yard; yes, Jesus means them too. And then there is the boss, the secretary and the employee who always has a knack for making our blood pressure rise; Jesus included them as well. The list could go on, and on, and on. We certainly have a way of identifying those whom we can't love. But Jesus tells us to love them all. Not just love them, but care for them as well.

Can you imagine what would happen if we were to really fulfill this command of Jesus, to love the unlovable and care for them? Would it be possible that perhaps they would begin to see Jesus through us? Could it possibly be that because of the kindness we show to others, they could realize what Christ can do for them? Is it conceivable that they could accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and experience a transformation in their lives? And what if they too would begin loving and caring for the unlovable and still others would be won to Christ?

"But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil." (Luke 6:35) Yes, Jesus tells us that we should even love those that we consider to be our enemies. This command is probably the most difficult for us to accept. But if we love Jesus, we will do what He says! How do I know this? Because this too is His commandment, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." (John 14:15) And what would happen if we were to love our enemies? What is an enemy? It is one who hates us. And why do they hates us? It just could be that they think that we hate them. If we show love to them they may cease to be our enemy and turn into a friend.

Are you able to keep each of these commandments to love? If not, have you ever considered why you can't? Is there trouble with your marriage? Is there trouble with your children? Do you find it difficult, if not impossible to love the unlovable? And how about those enemies? If these commandments are difficult for you to keep, then perhaps we should discuss the greatest commandment that has been given to us. "Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment.'" (Matthew 22:37) All the other commandments to love one another hinge upon this, the great commandment. For if we truly love God, our heart will go through a transformation in which love will be there; love for God, His Son, our families, our brothers and sisters in Christ, the unlovable and even our enemies. We may have to cultivate it, but it will be there. We may have to make a conscience effort to rid ourselves of old thoughts and old ways; love will win out if we do. This is, in part, what Paul meant when he said, "Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Romans 6:4 This "newness of life" that Paul is speaking of is love for one another because Jesus had love for all mankind. When John 3:16 says that "God so loved the world," the "world" is not the earth, but His creation — mankind.

What would this world be like if all who claim to follow Christ would strive to keep these commandments to love one another? I hope that you agree that it would be a wonderful place, and it would begin to get even better with each passing day. Will we ever see this achieved in our lifetime? I don't remember who said it, but I think it is appropriate here, "If it is to be, it must begin with me."

It is up to each of us who claim Christ as our Lord and Savior. Not to change the world! But to allow Jesus to change us. If we will just do this, the world will take care of itself. "This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it." (2 John 1:6)

All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

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