Today's blog will mostly be excerpts from the book that I placed on Amazon and Kindle called, "You Are A Believer! Now What? Words of Wisdom For New Believers In Search of Answers From God." The intention of the book is to spark people or be a catalyst for people to seek wisdom and understanding when they come to Christ. It is also my hope that it will get people to realize that God called us to love one another as Jesus loved us.

Jesus said in 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.”

Unfortunately, in today's world there are so many who need to learn to love as God asked of us when Jesus was on Earth. Remember even then, Jesus was being scrutinized by those who were "religious" leaders. They knew the Law of Moses. They knew the commandments given by God. They knew the history recorded of many leaders called to lead God's people and the prophesies God provided through chosen vessels and yet, love for one another and the people they were called to lead was pretty much nonexistent.

Jesus called the religious leaders out on their treatment of the people and the laws enforced according to their interpretation.  The leaders wanted to kill Jesus for His challenges of their teachings, interpretation of doctrine and lack of love for the people. Jesus came to save people from the legalities of the laws and commandments. Jesus clearly showed that He was Sent by God and that He was the Son of God and this angered the leaders.

Prophesy was fulfilled through the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus and Jesus clearly gave the commandment that God wants us to follow.  Following this one commandment is hard yet it is the most Christ-like action we need to take. Jesus even gave us clear instruction on how to love one another in Matthew 25: 31-46. 

Jesus said that when He comes the second time, He will separate the righteous from the cursed just as a shepherd separates sheep from goats.  He says the righteous are considered blessed because when He was hungry, the righteous fed Him. When He was thirsty, the righteous gave Him drink. When He was a stranger (someone they did not know or fellowship with), they took Him in. When He was naked, the righteous clothed Him. When He was sick, the righteous visited Him. And when He was in prison, the righteous came to Him. 

Remember, this was Jesus speaking. He was speaking of His second coming. He said He will separate the righteous from the cursed. It is He alone who is clarifying what will happen at that time.  It is Jesus who makes it clear next that it was not Him in the person as He walked on earth the first time as Christ (during His ministry) but that He, Jesus, was literally referring to when He comes a second time. He continues with the questions that the righteous will ask.  

He gives the following quote: “Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed 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?” Jesus continues saying that He will give the following clear answer to the righteous when He returns: “And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” 

I believe Jesus was telling us to treat every human being we meet with dignity and respect. When we give food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, shelter to people (even strangers), give clothing to the naked, and visit the sick and imprisoned, we are taking care of Him. We are taking care of His body.  

Yes, the body is His church for those of us who believe that Jesus is the Head. But how do we know that the unbeliever we meet today will not be a part of the body in the future? Remember, you were not always a part of the body.

So as part of the church, we are to take care of more than only those who call themselves Christians. Remember that before Apostle Paul became an apostle for Christ, he was one of those religious leaders seeking to kill anyone that believed the teachings of Jesus while He was on Earth and who claimed to be filled with the Holy Spirit and yet Paul became a voice for God. 

I choose to love as God called me to love.  I hope you do too. I don't want to be legalistic and miss the call of God to love one another. Yes, it is hard but we have the Holy Spirit to guide us through our life on Earth and God never gives more to do than we can handle.  He supplies our need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). So, when you "feel" you cannot love, pray and call on God to help you because it is not dependent upon our feelings but on the Word of God which is true. Jesus forgave many while on Earth, even those religious leaders thought should be condemned. Remember, we were once sinners and were still saved by the grace and it was a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8).