Our Scripture reading today is 1 John 4:20-21, "If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also."
As a Christian, why do you do what you do? As a church member, why do you attend the services of Anchor Baptist Church? As someone who identifies with Jesus Christ, why do you give your tithe and offerings? The purpose for everything we do in the Christian life should be rooted in our love of God. It should be our desire to do all of these things and much more because of the abiding love for God we have in our hearts. We are capable of loving Him because He loved us first.
My love for God will also be seen in my love for the family of God. As John wrote, if we truly love God, we will love the family of God. “These verses are the equivalent of saying that a person cannot practice agape-love unless he can first practice philia-love.” (Boice). The resources to love have been provided by God's Spirit. It is up to us to make the choice to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. Be on the lookout for a family member you can love today!