“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35).

A very weak, trembling voice on the other end of the line. It’s 2 a.m., and someone’s calling for a sympathetic ear, for comfort, for help. What do you do? 

Prayerfully, because of the caller’s dire need, the answerer is physically able to say “I’m here” and offer a listening ear and a prayer. Scripture admonishes us to console one another: “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

My friends, we are our brother’s keeper, especially in those times of dire need. Consider the Apostle Paul’s admonition to help one another when the load of care bears down on another: Galatians 6:2 states: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.“ 

The love of God in us, as His new creation, teaches us to be unselfish, considerate, and kind to one another. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23). 

Love is the first of the graces and encompasses them all. You cannot walk in the Spirit without love. It is called grace for grace, my friends; what God has so amazingly done within us must flow out to others, starting right now, this moment.

Let us strive to love with a pure heart that draws us closer in Christian fellowship; faithfully standing for one another in the times of our greatest need. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35).

We’re all going through something in life, regardless of where we are. Sometimes we simply need an encouraging word, a listening ear, from a stronger Holy Ghost-filled mentor or friend to help keep us steady along the way: “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.” (I Thessalonians 5:11).

My friends, our strength, our peace, and our consolation come from the God of all comfort. Let us rest in the knowledge that we are one in the Spirit, bound together by His love. 

Let’s love one another, and make it a point to imagine the walk, if only for a few steps, in someone else’s shoes today- and help carry their burden a part of the way; thinking he really isn’t heavy…he’s my brother! 

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12).

God’s amazing love and grace to all.