Love God, Love People

James Moore tells about a man named George. George was a peacemaker with a big heart and wonderful sense of humor. Everyone loved George at church, and he was respected at the hospital where he worked. The reason why so many people loved George was because he was always kind and respectful to everyone he met. George’s children clearly remember the days George spent in the hospital before his death. The administrator of the hospital paid him a visit. They spoke as though they were old friends. A few minutes later one of the janitors came to visit George. They too had a nice visit.
 
When the janitor left, one of George’s children said to him, "Dad, did you realize that you treated the president of the hospital and the janitor just alike?" George smiled, chuckled and then said, "Let me ask you something: If the administrator left for two weeks and the janitor left for two weeks, which one do you think would be missed the most?" Then George called his children around his bed and said, "Let me show you something I carry in my pocket all the time, even when I mow the lawn." George pulled out a pocket-sized cross and a marble with the Golden Rule on it. George said, "On the cross are written these words, ‘God Loves You,’ and on the marble are these words, ‘Do unto Others as You Would Have Them Do unto You.’ The cross reminds me of how deeply God loves me. And the marble reminds me of how deeply God wants me to love others.”
 
In 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 the Apostle Paul writes: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.” After comparing the church to a body with many parts that work together for the good of the body, Paul then talks about love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Here’s what he says: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.” Paul is saying that no matter what you do, it should be an expression of God’s love.
 
If you are a follower of Jesus, love is not something reserved for Valentine’s Day only. Love becomes a mark of our character which shows up in our attitudes and actions toward others. That said, still, Valentine’s Day is a good day to give a card to someone you care about. Happy Valentine’s Day!
 
Tyler

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