LOVE IS SACRIFICE

20th JANUARY 2023

“To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he promptly went on his journey” – Matthew 25:16

To love your neighbour as yourself is an injunction given by Christ. The reason for that is probably to ensure that the universal love of God fills the world. The only way God acts for us is that He uses other humans to touch us. Therefore, whenever God decides to touch us deep by the power of love, He uses others. Showing love to others is not an easy task.  That is because love means giving out the best part of us when it is most uncomfortable to do so. When we give love, we must expect nothing in return. When Christ died for us, God never demanded anything in return.

There are many people suffering today, the best way to help is to give them love from the depth of our hearts. If we don’t help, they might die!  We must therefore see the face of God in every human being we come in contact with.

In order to pass the test of loving God, we have to translate “loving God” to mean, loving our fellow human beings. Three times the Master asked Peter; “Do you love me”? Three times Peter answered, “yes Lord, you know all things, and you know that I love thee”) But Jesus was fast to add; “then feed my sheep” (John 21:16). By that, the Master revealed that only through  service to others can we truly demonstrate our love for God. It would appear, therefore, that, on judgment day, our works of service, will be recalled and examined as a basis of gaining eternal life in heaven.

The word of God today introduces us to a two– in – one commandment of God. Jesus says all the commandments are summarized in these two commandments. Number 1 is that we must love God with our soul and entire being. Number 2 is that we have to love our neighbour as ourselves. To love God with our soul and everything is to be ready to make a sacrifice – up to the point of death on behalf of others, all for the sake of God. To love your neighbours as yourself does not mean that you have to first, love yourself before you think of loving another. But that verse simply teaches that you must first, put yourself in the condition of others, and then decide whether what you are doing to them is good enough for you if you were to be in their situation. In other words, put yourself in the shoes of others!

The eternal life we seek in heaven as Christians will elude us if we are unable to obey these two – in – one commandments of God (Matthew 25:35-40). This is because admission into heaven will be conducted on the basis of how much love you gave to others! (Matthew 25:35-40). Also on earth, you reap the quantity of love you extend to others! As you sow, so you reap!

PRAYERS

Father in the name of Jesus Christ, I thank you for your word, for I am strengthened by it. Father, today I receive the strength to overcome every weakness that would not enable me to express pure love and affection to others. AMEN.

FURTHER READING: Matthew 25:35-40