PASTOR'S CORNER

Theme of the Year: Covenant of Peace (Isaiah 54:10)

Theme of the Month: Love One Another (John 13:34)

Topic: Love as Practiced in The New Testament Church (Part 2)

Have you ever wondered what kept the early church after the death and ascension of Jesus Christ? I know you will be quick to say that the Holy Spirit was responsible, and this is very correct. The early church was birthed by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit plays important roles in lives of believers and one of His roles is giving power to love. Love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. In other words, love is one of the packages you receive at salvation. 

You are empowered to love God which makes it easy to obey God and you are equally empowered to love people. This love propels us to live in peace with one another, go after the unsaved to share the gospel of salvation with them and to live an examplary life.

The new Testament Church was able to turn the world upside down with weapon of love. Love is the wisdom and power of God. Love was the power of early believers. Love was the fire of the martyrs. Jesus said: "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another". (John 13:35). Jesus, as He was going to His voluntary and life-giving sacrifice on the Cross, gathered His disciples together for the last time, told them not to weep and lament that He would leave them, and then He "called" them friends. 

And John, the beloved friend of Jesus, emotionally shares with us our Lord's feelings at leaving His friends: "having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end." (John 13:1).

Our Lord Jesus earnestly prayed for unity of believers during His last moments on earth. John 17:21-23 says “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me”. 

The early church allowed love to be their guiding light and that was why they could achieve much for the Kingdom of heaven in their time.

As church of today, we must embrace genuine love one for another. We saw in the life of early church that they were in constant fellowship with one another. They were not only sharing the word of God, but they were also breaking bread from house to house. Meaning that they cared for one another. It is our focus to pay attention to the needy in our midst and our community and part of the reasons we were asked to fast, save the money for our lunch and bring it to the church to cater for the needy. 

This exercise is ongoing, and you are all encouraged to participate. We should be sensitive to the situation of the less privileged and refuse to walk or drive past them. Serving the needy must become an integral part of our lives and our faith. We will be known by our love for one another and for those who are in need. When the world sees our care for one another, they will properly understand the power and activity of God in our lives. 

God bless you.