Sustain

Re:Verse reading–John 15:9-17 (day three)

“Love one another.”  Love is the only divine reality that will preserve our lives.  God’s justice, his anger, even his very holiness would destroy us.  But from love comes God’s grace, God’s mercy, the Incarnation, Christ’s substitutionary suffering and death, and our access to God.  Everything else destroys, only love sustains.  This is true in God’s regard of human beings, and it is therefore true in men’s regard of each other.  Of all the ways we can treat each other, only love gives us a future.  Love for one another won’t just make the world more pleasant.  Love for one another will keep each other alive.

Author: Bryan Richardson

Bryan Richardson is the Associate Pastor for Counseling and Pastoral Ministries at FBCSA.

3 thoughts on “Sustain”

  1. Love is a universal thing. An action of love allows humans to treat each other with respect, kindness and compassion. Love for human beings allows us to make some sacrifices to help others meet their basic needs or gives us the drive and the determination to reach out to those who are lonely, who are less fortunate than ourselves or who are in life crises. Love can be expressed in various forms whichever we feel comfortable with due to one’s background. An expression of love allows the receiver to see hope and encouragement for the future. When we can and are able to help a friend to fulfill what he or she needs the most, we will show an act of love for a friend. An act of love can save a life and can help strengthen a relationship or change a situation from darkness to a hopeful future. Love is a basic emotional support for human beings and for all living creatures on earth.

    However, we need to be reminded that no love is superior to love for the Lord who has bestowed upon us its mercy and greatness. Love for other human beings in reality is the foundation of life, no matter how fragile it can be. Be kind and compassionate toward one another will help change an imperfect person to a better person, can help shape a positive outcome, reinforce desirable behaviors, such as caring and concerns for others who are less fortunate in our society due to circumstances beyond their control. We should be reminded that kindness toward others and having a compassion for human beings will help build a supportive, hopeful, and compassionate community and society!

    We all need to give love and to receive love indeed!! Love for one another allows us to make some sacrifices, including financial and time, to reach out to provide emotional support to our friends in times of their darkness or life crises. Love for one another is the basic foundation of a good and lasting friendship. Love is a survival thing, a basic need and a universal thing!! Thanks for the reminder of God’s love for us and as His followers, we will continue to follow His examples by acting with kindness and compassion!

    Phuong Le Callaway, PHD, CA

  2. No human beings can be self-sufficient; and as human beings, there will be times we will need help from family and friends. If we sow love seeds along the way, we surely will receive love fruit when we need it! Love seed is a superfood!

    Phuong Le Callaway, PHD, CA

  3. Love is so powerful and is a vital ingredient for life and interrelationships. Without it, everything will die down! It is indeed a superfood for mankind!

    Phuong Le Callaway, PHD, CA

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