August 19, 2016 (Friday)
Today a Bethel Baptist Church deacon, Karl Ladewig, will accompany me to a funeral service in Corpus Christi. I will conduct the service for the brother of a lady who attends Bethel Baptist Church. It is our way of saying to this dear lady, “We at the church appreciate you and we want to do or say something that may bring some comfort to you in your time of sorrow.”
This is what Christians are called to do. We are called to love one another.
On the night before he was crucified, Jesus spoke to his disciples and said to them, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34 NIV).
That word from Jesus came as no surprise to his disciples, for, after all, Jesus had been asked which is the greatest commandment, to which he replied, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
The Lord wants us to love him and everyone else. A grand old hymn reminds us:
Of the themes that men have known,
One supremely stands alone;
Through the ages it has shown,
‘Tis His wonderful, wonderful love.
Refrain
Love is the theme, love is supreme;
Sweeter it grows, glory bestows;
Bright as the sun ever it glows!
Love is the theme, eternal theme!
Let the bells of Heaven ring,
Let the saints their tribute bring,
Let the world true praises sing
For His wonderful, wonderful love.
Refrain
Since the Lord my soul unbound,
I am telling all around
Pardon, peace and joy are found
In His wonderful, wonderful love.
Refrain
As of old when blind and lame
To the blessèd Master came,
Sinners, call upon His Name,
Trust His wonderful, wonderful love.
Refrain
(Words & Music: Albert C. Fisher, 1913)
Click here to hear the tune.