Love
Let me live in my house by the side of the road
Why do you care? is an intriguing question. It is asked as church elders bring a check
to a family whose house has burned of whose medical bills have piled up. It is
asked by widows when the youth group shows up on a Saturday to rake leaves and
wash windows. It is asked as retired Christians go from room to room in nursing
homes, sharing time and hope. It is asked by orphans as church members arrive with
holiday gifts and supplies. It is asked by cancer patients as a preacher
makes his hospital rounds bringing cheer, snacks, and prayers. It is asked by addicts
as Christian counselors volunteer time to help them return to families, jobs, and life.
It is asked by prisoners as teachers come week by week in jail ministry. It is asked by
asked by children around the world as summer missionaries arrive with food, supplies,
and gospel material. Why do Christians care for those they
have never met? Why is their love palpable for each other, and strong enough to
their Father (1 John 4:8, 11).
God isn’t just someone we worship. He is someone we know. We have a relationship
with Him and love Him as we love a family member or friend.
God is our Mentor. We look up to Him as what we aspire to be. We seek to imitate
His character and behavior—especially His love (1 Thessalonians 4:9–10).
• “God is a Spirit” (John 4:24); Christians
are spiritual and not carnal.
• “God is light” (1 John 1:5); Christians enlighten and brighten.
• “God is love” (1 John 4:8); Christians care.1
VOLUME 20 NUMBER 4
www.housetohouse.com
And be a friend to man. —Sam Walter Foss
to a family whose house has burned of whose medical bills have piled up. It is
asked by widows when the youth group shows up on a Saturday to rake leaves and
wash windows. It is asked as retired Christians go from room to room in nursing
homes, sharing time and hope. It is asked by orphans as church members arrive with
holiday gifts and supplies. It is asked by cancer patients as a preacher
makes his hospital rounds bringing cheer, snacks, and prayers. It is asked by addicts
as Christian counselors volunteer time to help them return to families, jobs, and life.
It is asked by prisoners as teachers come week by week in jail ministry. It is asked by
a family grieving the loss of a child as tears flow from eye to eye down the line of supporters
that snakes out of the door of the funeral home.
It is asked by students when youth ministers take time to go to their games. It isasked by children around the world as summer missionaries arrive with food, supplies,
and gospel material. Why do Christians care for those they
have never met? Why is their love palpable for each other, and strong enough to
overcome racial, generational, political, economic, educational, and ethnic differences?
What possible reason could Christians have to do good things for their
The answer lies not in who they are but in whose they are.
God is love, and His children imitatetheir Father (1 John 4:8, 11).
God isn’t just someone we worship. He is someone we know. We have a relationship
with Him and love Him as we love a family member or friend.
God is our Mentor. We look up to Him as what we aspire to be. We seek to imitate
His character and behavior—especially His love (1 Thessalonians 4:9–10).
John reveals much of God’s nature:
are spiritual and not carnal.
• “God is light” (1 John 1:5); Christians enlighten and brighten.
• “God is love” (1 John 4:8); Christians care.1
VOLUME 20 NUMBER 4
www.housetohouse.com
enemies and say nice things about their adversaries?
David once cried in despair, “No man cared for my soul” (Psalm 142:4). Christians care. But why?
posted by Believer | 10:32 AM
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