Dear Cornerstone brothers and sisters,
The Psalmist tells us in Psalm 20:7 that “some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” “Chariots and horses” were the symbols of human strength and power in the ancient world. Thus, the Psalmist is confessing that his trust is NOT in the things of the world, but in the one who made the world. His trust is NOT in himself, but in his Lord. May this truth sink into our hearts this week … that our trust is in the Lord our God – our King who made us and redeemed us!
Have a wonderful week and may your eyes be fixed on Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith. This week’s devotion is a reflection from 1 John on the call for believers to love one another.
From the Pastor’s Desk
Mid-week Devotional
“Loving One Another”
1 John 3:16, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for one another.”
The greatest demonstration of love the world has ever known is the cross at Calvary. It was at the cross where the sinless and spotless Lamb of God laid down his life for sinners (John 1:29: Heb 7:26; Rom 5:8; 1 John 4:10). It was at the cross where the Son of God was made sin so that we can stand before the Father righteous (2 Cor 5:21). The cross was the climax of Christ’s self-denying humiliation (2 Cor 8:9).
In the book of 1 John, the Apostle John draws several implications of the cross of Christ to the lives of believers. In other words, John paints a picture of what it looks like for a Christian to live in light of the cross. And one such mark of a believer living in light of the cross is the love that he displays towards his brothers and sisters. John puts it this way, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for one another” (also see 1 John 2:9-10; 4:19-21). John is simply echoing the teaching of his master and teacher, the Lord Jesus Christ: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another” (John 13:34). Just as Christ loved us and laid down his life for his people, so we are to love one another, and to lay down our lives for one another. But how are we to do this? How are we to love one another? How are we to demonstrate our love for one another? John continues, “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk, but in deed and in truth” (3:17-18). Simply put, Christian love is an active love. Our love is not to be just talk, but should show itself in action (Matt 25:31-40). The church is the body of Christ – the household of God; and just as physical families help and love one another, how much more should brothers and sisters in the Lord show our love for one another. But the question remains … practically how do we do this?? Three suggestions:
- Pray for each other. How often do you pray for one another? Specifically by name? Especially for your brothers and sisters at CSOPC? This is where we must start. To make it a regular diet of our prayer life to lift one another up in prayer by name.
- Talk with each other. How often do we call each other during the week? Christian fellowship must extend far beyond Sunday worship – we are called to love one another each day of the week. A 5-minute conversation – “How are you doing this week? I was thinking about you? How can I pray for you” – goes a long way.
- Finally, be attentive to one another’s needs. If you are able to help one another with a particular need or concern, by all means do it! If you hear of a need in passing in conversation, be attentive and consider if you might be able to help. The church’s love for one another is a powerful witness to this fallen world – and thus it should be the very heartbeat of our lives!
I look forward to seeing you all this Lord’s Day.
God bless,
Robert