“This is my command: Love each other” (Jo 15:17).

It is significant that Jesus repeats the instruction to love one another twice in six verses (vv12-17). Our fruitfulness will flourish in the context of a loving community. It is not God’s intent for His children to attempt to succeed in isolation. The church’s mission is designed to thrive in an atmosphere of mutual love among the saints. We must not seek to excel as lone soldiers. We see this principle well illustrated in the Book of Acts. “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Ac 2:46-47). Beloved, we too can experience the Lord’s daily addition of believers into our churches if we walk in love toward one another. We can witness a remarkable harvest of truly saved souls among us if we prioritise brotherly love in the church. Sadly, sometimes we’ve numerical growth of nominal believers. Only God can add genuinely born again saints to the community of believers. That’s only possible when we love one another. Let’s do our best to walk in the love of God always and to everyone. It’s worth it!

Pastor Josh