Love One Another

     The evening before His crucifixion, Jesus commanded His disciples to love one another as He had loved them. He then said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." He was looking not only ahead to the sacrifice of His physical being, but also calling them to remembrance of their fellowship and ministry together. From the moment Jesus called to them, He had been laying down His life on their behalf. His every word, every lesson, every deed were aimed at the hearts of His disciples.

      When He upbraided them for their unbelief or the hardness of their hearts, it was to replace corruption and emptiness with godly love. When He spoke in parables, it was to illuminate the practical lessons of love in the real world. The scripture tells us that the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost in the hope that it will blossom and grow to fruition. Jesus laying down His life for His disciples didn't just happen two thousand years ago--it is still going on. Neither has His purpose changed; "the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscious, and of faith unfeigned."

     I don't believe God is looking for people to work miracles, nor is He seeking those to do great deeds. God is looking for those who love enough to set themselves aside. When He finds them; miracles will follow. That a man loves to the point of self denial may be the greatest miracle of all.

     Love will transcend the boundaries of  culture, race, and gender. Love can bridge the gap between species. Love can heal the land. The one stream love cannot bridge is self interest. In little ways everyday we come to that shore and chose whether to serve our own interest or lay aside self in favor of love and kindness.

     The example of Christ is clear. "God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."