https://odb.org/2024/12/22/tangible-love-2
1 John 4 NIV – 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, can not love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
I believe one of the ways we could, as a congregation, show love to our fellow church members is to visit them when they are warded. While some prefer peace and quiet at the hospital, having guests break the boredom of treatment and the rather clinical approach of the nurses and doctors. The issue is that we may not have friends around. Even making friends with other patients (assuming we are not in a single room) in the ward has its perils as the guy next door may be discharged or may have expired the next day!
We love because God first loved us. He called us to be His children. If the Holy Spirit didn’t touch and convict us, we would still be lost in our old ways, well on the road to destruction instead of eternal life. We would still be living in the world, still very much of the world and only concerned with its affairs, chasing our own dreams and ambitions. Doing things that our heart fancies instead of living at the centre of God’s will.
Do spare the time and effort to visit a brother or sister in Christ at the hospital when they are most vulnerable. They will appreciate it very much. They may not be in their best makeup or hair condition, but rarely are people fussing much about their appearance when they are unwell. Bring some fruits. Be there for them for some moments. Have a chat. Comfort and encourage them. Last but not least, pray for them. Be a Barnabas to them even as they are sick.
Have a good Sunday worship, everyone! My prayer for you is that you have finally made the effort to dress up and show up on site at the church sanctuary. If not today, then surely this Wednesday on Christmas day!
Ronnie's Thoughts 