You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me .’ When God’s people give time and effort sharing their material goods with those in need it demonstrates true love—outgoing care and con- cern. It puts love into action! Just saying the words is not enough. The apostle James in his epistle makes this point in chapter 2 verses 15 and 16: If a brother or a sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,’ but you do not give them the things of the body, what does it profit? In Paul’s epistle to the Romans chapter 12 verses 10 and 13, the Church is instructed to: Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love… distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Brotherly love is extremely im- portant to God. The apostle John devoted a considerable part of his inspired writing to this topic. In I John 4:11 he wrote: Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. Christians are bound together by the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit (see Romans 8:9). It is Christ living in each one of His people that produc- es peace, harmony, and unity in the Church of God. And if Christ loved His people, His people ought to love one another. A Rededication Praying—and in some cases, fast- ing—for a brother or sister in the Church is one of the most impactful things a Christian can do for those in need of healing or deliverance from a fiery trial. God’s people must always seek His help, placing their faith and trust in Him while doing everything in their own power to be of assistance. This year at the Passover baptized members will be reminded of the love that God has for those He has called. Once again we will read the words from John 13:34-35: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. God’s Church is to love one another just as Christ loves them. The stan- dard is high—there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for his friends!
garding neighbors, but it is partic- ularly true concerning Christians fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. The Apostle Paul was inspired to re- cord Galatians 6:10: Therefore, as we have oppor - tunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Jesus explained this principle of love further in Matthew chapter 25 and stated that only those who show love in these practical ways will be granted entrance into the kingdom of God. Matthew 25:34-40 states: Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation 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.’ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying ‘Lord when did we see You hungry and fed
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