Showing God’s Love To Others
Once I read it , I could never forget it. The apostle John’s words that we love because He first loved us. I concretely understood in that moment that I hadn’t found God out of my own efforts, but that He had made the first move to bring me back to Him. And given that, He then called me to love other people with that same love and grace. In Deuteronomy 24:14–21; Ephesians 6:5–9; and 1 Timothy 6:17–19, both Moses and Paul call God’s people to show His love to others. Whether poor and needy, the foreigner, the slave or slave holder, God’s peole are called to love others with grace, justice and out of the wealth that He has blessed us with. His love is foundational as the model to how we are to treat others. I pray that we would know the love of God and that we would be obedient to His command to show that same love in the way we treat others. Amen
Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns. Pay them their wages each day before sunset, because they are poor and are counting on it. Otherwise they may cry to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin.
Parents are not to be put to death for their children, nor children put to death for their parents; each will die for their own sin.
Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this.
When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow.(Deuteronomy 24:14–21)
Moses spoke a message to Israel as they prepared to go into the Promised Land. This portion of his message spoke to Israel about how they were to treat everyone with justice, with economic compassion for the poor and needy, and without oppression in the land that God was giving them. They were reminded that they were once the oppressed while in Egypt, and it was God who redeemed them and brought them out.
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. (Ephesians 6:5–9)
Paul wrote to Christians admonishing them to conduct themselves as brothers and sisters in Christ, not based on their worldly positions. In this case, Paul gave specific admonitions to both slaves and slavemasters as to how they should treat one another in Christian love that is accordance with the Lord’s command to love our neighbor as ourselves.
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. (1 Timothy 6:17–19)
Paul’s pastoral letter instructed Timothy to command those in the church who were rich, to avoid putting their hope and trust in worldly wealth. Instead, Timothy was to direct them to use their wealth for the kingdom by doing good deeds, sharing and being generous with what God had entrusted to them. In this way they might take hold of life that is truly life (i.e. eternal life).
Conclusion
Both Moses and Paul gave instruction to God’s people so that we would conduct ourselves in our treatment of others in ways that are honoring to God and consistent with His character. Mistreatment of others is counter to God’s character and his desire for His people to reflect His love and compassion for others. All of the admonitions of Moses and Paul are consistent with the love God expects His people to show others and that He has already shown to us. Love God… and Love Others by showing them God’s Love.
Blessings, Rev. Glenn
