We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 1 John 3:14

I pray that you had a blessed and wonderful worship with your local church this passed Lord’s Day. Fellowship with the word of God and other believers strengthens our hearts to continue to walk by faith and minister the love of God. God makes it possible to revive and refresh the His love that dwells in the hearts of His children in the assembly of believers. Many of our home bound saints, who faithfully served the Lord when their health and strength allowed them, have a great desire to gather and assemble with their local church. Yet in their restricted state, they remain faithful to witness to their faith in Christ and His love for the saints. The scripture passage reminds us of the evidence of eternal life and the salvation we have received in Jesus Christ. It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit that dwells within every believer that “we love the brethren.” This is the evidence. Love is not merely an emotional or sentimental matter, it is action! The love of God was manifested in the laying down of His life, and we are to be willing to follow in His steps (1 Jn 3:16). The love of God is manifested through our deeds and actions to help others in need. God gives opportunity to share the resources that He has blessed into the lives of His children. Peter and John gave of their blessed resources to a “man who had been lame from his mother’s womb” that were not “silver and gold” (Acts 3). They had compassion for the man and demonstrated God’s love for the man to offer healing for his body by placing his faith in Jesus Christ. They didn’t wait to feel love but acted by faith and showed it. They stepped out in faith to minister the love of God and allow His grace to abound toward the suffering need. They had compassion on the man. Love is of God and His love is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. “The fruit of the Spirit is love,” and as we are united with Christ by faith, the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, and we can love with God’s love. My friend, we know that “we have passed from death unto life” as we find ourselves willing to put the interests of another before our own, not because we have a natural affection or affinity for him, but because we belong to God. Uproot every weed of coldness, callousness, or unconcern that chokes out the fruit of God’s love sowed in your heart that you may be fruitful in His love (Mt 13:22-23). Father, thank You for Your love that is full of compassion, kindness, and mercy. Cleanse us from all bitterness, resentments, and unrighteousness that the fruit of kindness may abound from our tongues. In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.