Based on 1 Corinthians 16 (New King James Version)
“Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. And when I come, whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me. Now I will come to you when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may send me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits. But I will tarry in Ephesus until Pentecost. For a great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries. And if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren. Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time. Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love. I urge you, brethren—you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints—that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us. I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied. For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men. The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s. If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”
If we clearly focus on this passage, on what we are being taught, we would be able to see the principal theme of the entire Bible, the all of man: that we should love God and love our neighbor. And when we talk about love, it is something that has to do with actions that demonstrate love, because love needs to be witnessed. We see this through the personal care the Apostle Paul put in what he was indicating. Very practical ways of helping are taught here that should happen with those that call themselves followers of Christ. But if we objectively observe what happens today, we will notice that what needs to be seen in us as a group cannot be seen anymore. We as church have become lost within ourselves, in selfishness, in lack of love, in looking for our own interests rather than looking for the interests of God, and in forgetting the holy principles God our Heavenly Father gave us through the Lord. But, if there are failures or forgetfulness, then we need to remind and encourage that which really is God’s will, because God does not desire for us to be lost, but rather, that we turn from our evil ways, that there be repentance and conversion, so that His purpose can be fulfilled, and that is: to rescue as many people as possible from the way of perdition. And so, we will explain the Truth.
For starters, the Word indicates this to us, when the religious (which is very applicable to the problem we have today—to much religiousness) were precisely trying to test God (which many still do today as well): “Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, ‘Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?’ Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:35-40. The Bible and the Cross, in their fulness teach us about a vertical relationship, our relationship with God; and they also teach us about a horizontal relationship, demonstrating our relationship with men. And this is what God’s will is all about, about loving both, and that, in that love towards God is that love towards others needs to be manifested. In other words, love for God is fundamental. It’s what should generate our love for our neighbor. The order cannot be altered. The Lord always needs to be first, and the reason for why we do things, and then comes the love for others, as a result of that love for the Lord, as it is written: “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.” 1 John 3:16-19. But if we do not love God, and He is not the principal motive for why we do things, then there is nothing of value. It’s tough saying this, but all is garbage and it should be burned in eternal fire. And it is clear, if this principal foundation is not in our lives, there is no salvation, as it was also left written: “If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed.” So then, it should be very clear that loving God through actions that demonstrate love towards God should generate love towards our neighbor and the corresponding actions that are associated with that love. It’s as simple as that. There is no great theology to it, nor are years in seminary needed to be able to understand these very simple concepts. Sin and rebellion are what make the simple complicated, things that even children can understand. And because of these “complications” that many people create in their lives is that there will be many surprises before the throne of God in the day of judgment, because we will all be judged according to our actions, whether you believe it or not. As it is written: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23. So, you should aim to understand what you are doing, for your own good.
So then, what should we do with our neighbor? The Bible teaches us the following: “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10. And the Lord also taught us this: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” Matthew 5:43-45. So, do good to everyone. Help in what you can help, and in very practical ways. Pray, but also act. Basically, treat others as God has treated you. That is what God teaches. Do you understand what is the will of God, so that you can put it into action, so that you can have eternal life? Lord bless! John