A New Commandment

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
John 13:34 (NKJV)

The most effective way to preach the gospel is to love other people.

Love is not only a feeling, it is showing compassion and concern for others. To be there to help when there is a need, whatever that need may be.

This is not always easy—sometimes it is very hard. Self centeredness blocks the flow of the Holy Spirit! But when we make a decision to serve others we will find the source of true happiness! The more that we serve others the greater will be the flow of the Holy Spirit through our lives!  Remember that Jesus said in his teaching, “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come ye blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundations of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’” (Matthew 25:34-36)

There are many people in the world who are in need of help. They need to know that someone cares about them. Love is a basic human need—every one needs to know that somebody loves them. Jesus tells us that we should love others as He loves us. This is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. It is not our love—it is His love flowing though us! We cannot effectively preach the gospel unless His love dwells within us and is flowing out of us like streams of the living waters that Jesus refers to in John 7:38, “He who believes in Me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.”

Prayer
Father God, thank you for loving us all so much that you sent Jesus to pay the price for all our sins, please help us through the power of the Holy Spirit to be able to love others as You love us.
Amen

Study by Allan Frankcom

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About the Author:
Allan Frankcom is on the Pastoral Council of the Bristol Congregation of the Worldwide Church of God, UK.  He and his wife, Julie have attended the Bristol Church for over 30 years.

Local Congregation:
Worldwide Church of God Bristol
Emmersons Green Village Hall
Emmerson Way
EMMERSONS GREEN
South Gloucestershire
BS16 7AP

Meeting Time:
Saturday 11:30am

Local Congregational Contact:
Allan Frankcom
Email:  jf007d9991@blueyonder.co.uk