Estimated Read Time: 2-3 minutes.
Introduction
Being a child of God carries with it numerous responsibilities, one of the foremost being to show love to our neighbors. Our Lord Jesus Christ emphasized this responsibility, making it one of the ten commandments: "Love your neighbor as yourself." In this article, we will explore the significance of showing love to others and how it reflects our identity as Christians. Our behavior plays a crucial role in displaying our faith to the world, as it is often said, "The world doesn't read the Bible, but it reads our behavior."
Love as a Beacon of Faith
The early followers of Christ were first called Christians in Antioch because of their Christ-like behavior, characterized by love. Demonstrating love to people allows them to witness the transformative power of Christ within us. In Matthew 25:36-40, Jesus affirms the importance of love when He says, "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was a stranger, and you took me in... Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me."
Christ instructs us to visit the sick, feed the hungry, provide water for the thirsty, and clothe the naked. This command extends not only to our neighbors, friends, and family but also to our fellow brethren who are in need. Through acts of love, we have the opportunity to preach the love of Christ to those we serve.
Bearing Witness Through Friendship
In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commissions His followers, saying, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations... teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you." A good friend should be able to share the Word of God with their friends. This is an essential aspect of the love that the Lord has called us to demonstrate to our friends and neighbors.
When we go forth to share the gospel, the Lord promises His constant presence. Even when our friends may desert us or reject our message, we can take comfort in knowing that the Holy Spirit is our ever-present friend and advocate.
The Holy Spirit serves as our comforter, even in moments when others may abandon us due to the truth we profess. As we carry out our mission to share the love of Christ with our friends, we must remember that we are not alone. The Lord has provided us with the Holy Spirit as a constant companion.
In Closing
As Christians, we are tasked with proclaiming the message of Christ's love to our friends, family, and everyone around us. We must stand up for their salvation, just as others stood up for ours. In this shared journey of faith, let us be true friends, sharing the love of Christ and the truth of His gospel with those around us. May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen us as we embrace the calling to be good friends and faithful witnesses.
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