Love Each Other—It’s That Simple!
Before Andrew Jackson became president of the United States he was a general in the Tennessee army. During the War of 1812 his troops were fighting and bickering among themselves so he called them together and said, ‘Gentlemen, let’s remember the enemy is over there!’ We’d all do well to remember that. It’s easy to love God because of everything He’s done for us; it’s harder when it comes to loving those we have to live with. Charles Swindoll says: ‘If there’s anything that would keep me away from Christ... if I was lost… it would be the attitude of Christians towards one another… When I was a kid and an argument broke out… my dad used to say, “We may have a few differences inside these walls but remember, we’re family. If your brother or sister needs you… take care of ’em… love ’em… and pull for ’em.”’ Everything we need to know… can be found in these two verses, ‘Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself… look out… for the interests of others.’ (Philippians 2:3–4 NAS) In other words, think about the other person… Don’t be selfish. Sounds like something a teacher might say to a roomful of young children… yet how many adult problems could be solved if that was the driving force in our relationships?… How many couples could sort out their marital differences?’ Jesus said, ‘People will know…you are My followers if you love each other.’ In the hours before He died He was still praying for us to ‘...have unity in the way that You, Father, are in Me and I am in You...’ (John 17:21 GWT)