SIMPLE THINGS THAT EVERYONE NEEDS
John 13:34
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.
Back in October, when I discussed the treasures of the heart, I mentioned the Fruits of the Spirit. These are listed in Galatians 5:22-23 as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the qualities that come from the work of the Holy Spirit.
In the past few weeks, I’ve covered all of them except for love, kindness, and goodness. I believe these are essential for our daily lives because without them, we become a cold and uncaring society. If we can’t express these three qualities to those around us, how can we expect to receive them in return?
The Bible emphasizes that love is a fundamental principle that forms the basis of our lives. It aligns with two great commandments: to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. The Bible describes love as patient, kind, and selfless, qualities that are similar to those of God himself.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4) Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud
5) or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
6) It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
7) Love never gives up, never loses faith, and is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. It never ends.
With love as the foundation principle, kindness is a core principle. It involves compassionate actions of forgiveness and love, which we can extend to others, even those who may not deserve it. God doesn’t just want us to exchange quick greetings and move on. He expects us to take action as well. He wants us to treat others as we would want to be treated. This is where goodness comes in, it is when the Holy Spirit works within us to use our selfless actions for the good of others.
Now, I understand what you might be thinking. If I say, “Hello, how are you?” or “Hello, how’s your day going?” I might hear more than I want to or have time to hear. But have you ever stopped to consider that maybe that person needs to share their feelings or tell you about their day? Maybe they live alone and have no one else to talk to. Maybe you’re the first person to ask them how they’re doing on that day. What if the situation were reversed, and they asked you how you were doing? Remember what He said: treat others as we would want to be treated.
In Luke 10:30-37 Jesus tells a story.
30) “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
31) By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32) A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. 33) Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34) Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35) The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, “Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.” 36) Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. 37) The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
For many years I kept a print that hung on my wall that said, “Each day is a gift, untie the ribbons.” It faded over time and was difficult to read so I took it down, but that message is still clear in my mind. As we move into this joyous holiday season try to remember that not all gifts are wrapped up in paper and tied with pretty ribbons. For the best gifts are those that come from the heart. The greeting that goes beyond “hello”. The act that shows kindness and spoken words of love and gentleness are what the Holy Spirit has bestowed upon us to give to one another. Each day is truly a gift, use it wisely and it will bring you abundant joy as long as you keep love in your heart and your faith in God.
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.
Back in October, when I discussed the treasures of the heart, I mentioned the Fruits of the Spirit. These are listed in Galatians 5:22-23 as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are the qualities that come from the work of the Holy Spirit.
In the past few weeks, I’ve covered all of them except for love, kindness, and goodness. I believe these are essential for our daily lives because without them, we become a cold and uncaring society. If we can’t express these three qualities to those around us, how can we expect to receive them in return?
The Bible emphasizes that love is a fundamental principle that forms the basis of our lives. It aligns with two great commandments: to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. The Bible describes love as patient, kind, and selfless, qualities that are similar to those of God himself.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4) Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud
5) or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
6) It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
7) Love never gives up, never loses faith, and is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. It never ends.
With love as the foundation principle, kindness is a core principle. It involves compassionate actions of forgiveness and love, which we can extend to others, even those who may not deserve it. God doesn’t just want us to exchange quick greetings and move on. He expects us to take action as well. He wants us to treat others as we would want to be treated. This is where goodness comes in, it is when the Holy Spirit works within us to use our selfless actions for the good of others.
Now, I understand what you might be thinking. If I say, “Hello, how are you?” or “Hello, how’s your day going?” I might hear more than I want to or have time to hear. But have you ever stopped to consider that maybe that person needs to share their feelings or tell you about their day? Maybe they live alone and have no one else to talk to. Maybe you’re the first person to ask them how they’re doing on that day. What if the situation were reversed, and they asked you how you were doing? Remember what He said: treat others as we would want to be treated.
In Luke 10:30-37 Jesus tells a story.
30) “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
31) By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32) A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. 33) Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34) Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35) The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, “Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.” 36) Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. 37) The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
For many years I kept a print that hung on my wall that said, “Each day is a gift, untie the ribbons.” It faded over time and was difficult to read so I took it down, but that message is still clear in my mind. As we move into this joyous holiday season try to remember that not all gifts are wrapped up in paper and tied with pretty ribbons. For the best gifts are those that come from the heart. The greeting that goes beyond “hello”. The act that shows kindness and spoken words of love and gentleness are what the Holy Spirit has bestowed upon us to give to one another. Each day is truly a gift, use it wisely and it will bring you abundant joy as long as you keep love in your heart and your faith in God.
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