Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
We love some people because they love the ones we love. That was part of my father's message that Sunday in Aunt Leatha's little country house. It seems odd to say so, but when we pause to think about it, we must admit that there are people whom we love simply because they love the same people that we love.
Listening to him preach that, and wondering how it could be true, my mind was taken to the words of Jesus the night before he was crucified. Knowing that he was about to die, Jesus spoke earnestly with his disciples concerning many things, including the holy blessing that would soon come upon them from his Father in heaven: a baptism of their spirits by God's Spirit.
But one particular part of Jesus' loving exhortation to his disciples that dark Passover night impressed me now, as I heard my father's message; to wit, Jesus' explanation for the love that his Father had toward his disciples. These are the things Jesus told his wondering disciples that night:
"He that loveth me shall be loved by my Father." (Jn.
14:21)
"If a man love me, he shall keep my words, and my Father shall
love him." (Jn. 14:23)
"The Father Himself loveth you because ye
have loved me." (Jn. 16:27)
If you desire for God to love you, then love His Son and keep his commandments. God loves those who love the Son that He loves.
But more than that, once the Father sets His love on you, then He loves those who love you, too! This is part of the reason Jesus could say, "Inasmuch as ye do it unto the least of these my brethren, ye do it unto me." God loves His children, and every favor done to one of them is rewarded. If you want the favor of God, do good to one of His children. When a Gentile wanted Jesus to heal his son, one of the reasons Jesus did so was that a group of people whom God loved came to Jesus and told him that the Gentile man was worthy to have his son healed because he had done many good things for them (Lk. 7:1-10). Dorcas was raised from the dead after poor, weeping widows showed Peter the little coats Dorcas had woven for them and their children (Acts 9:36-42). Jesus promised that even the slightest favor shown to one of his servants would be rewarded. He said, "Whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward" (Mk. 9:41).
Of course, the other side of the coin is that "Whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and he were cast into the sea" (Mk 9:42). But that is a terrifying side of this issue, the consequences of which I pray that we do not ever have to face.
Suffice it to say that the Father in heaven is very mindful of everything that is done or said to each of His children. "Even the very hairs of your head are numbered", Jesus said. God's precious promise to Abraham is God's promise to all who are of faith, as was Abraham: "I will bless them that bless you and curse him that curseth you. And in you shall all families of the earth be blessed" (Gen 12:3).
The saints are still here on earth to fulfill a holy purpose; namely, to give the world an opportunity to love us and to be loved by God and blessed with us. Let us conduct ourselves so that our deeds cause men to be more likely to trust in God. We want people to believe that our Father is good and that He has good intentions toward them. Jesus said it this way: "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Mt. 5:16). Doing that, we are certain someday to hear the words that will make every trial we face well worth the trouble: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."