LEAD ARTICLE:
THIS IS MY COMMANDMENT,
"LOVE ONE ANOTHER"
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another." John 15:12-17
There is tension in this text. How do you command someone to love one another? Jesus does not simply offer a suggestion that it might be a nice thing if his disciples could love one another.
He commands them. Command is a strong word; one that Jesus only uses only a couple of times in his ministry. Jesus is speaking to us also, as disciples of St John’s.
When it comes to love, Jesus takes personal responsibility to be loving. He chooses to love whom he chooses to love and then he loves them to the end. He prays for them. He shares himself with them. He befriends them. And when the time comes, he gives his life for them.
The disciples remain free. They have received the love of Jesus. They are free to love or to withhold love. They are free to follow or go their own way. Such is the bonds of grace.
Yes, Jesus commands us to love. It’s just another way of saying, "Follow me." Follow me down the path that leads to life in all its beautiful fullness and joy. This article is about Stewardship; and Stewardship is about our relationship with God and one another. So, we must follow Jesus, as he commanded, in love – Sharing, Serving, and Growing!
Isn’t it funny how $10 looks so big when we take it to church and so small when we take it to the store? Did you know that there are over 2300 references to money and possessions in the Word of God; while prayer is only mentioned 500 times. This is not because prayer is less important than money and possessions. Money and possessions so often become too much a focus in our lives. We receive everything from God. Stewardship shows our commitment to God. The emphasis on giving is a reflection of our obedience to God’s will revealed in our lives.
At this time when we are without a pastor and our transitional committee is prayerfully forming the vision of St. John’s, WE as the Body of Christ must continue in His service through Stewardship. Vision is the key to making an impact for God in this secular world. Perhaps these simple steps will assist each of us in the search for a vision from God:
Know Christ; make Christ known. This is such a straightforward mission statement; but such a demanding one. Making Christ known is our stewardship of our time, talents, and treasures. Pray how we all can fulfill God’s will through stewardship.
In Christ’s service,
Dan McGohan