Abel still speaks to us though he is dead.  It is the same as all men and women of God still speak to us through their faith testimonies in life.  The forefathers of faith are dead but still speak to us about their faith.  Many of our loved ones have gone into glory after serving the Lord together with us at Hope Church.  The late Yaw Chiew Tan was shy in public but firm in faith.  He was faithful until the end.  Some of his articles he wrote for the Lively Hope still speak to us.  Last week we read his article about corporate prayers, and this week is about “love.”  These topics are well suited to the series of messages I have preached from Acts 2:42-47.  I hope that as you read this message from heaven, again through our brother’s writing, the Lord will move and touch your hearts.  It was written for Lively Hope on July 13, 2008.

Love for Others

Someone once said: “there are two types of people.”

Those who come into a room and say, “Here I am!”

And those who come in and say, “Ah, there you are!”

How different are those two approaches!

One says, “Look at me! I need attention”; the other says, “tell me about yourself.”

One says, “I am important”; the other says, “you are important.”

One says, “The world revolves around me”; the other says, “I am here to serve you.”

Wouldn’t it be great to be known as the second kind of person - someone others love to have around? Someone who displays the love of Christ openly and unashamedly?

The New Testament gives us some practical suggestions about becoming the kind of person who demonstrates Christ’s love. We are told to:

• Give preference to one another. Romans 12:10, “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”
• Edify one another. Romans 14:19, “Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.”
• Care for one another. 1 Corinthians 12:25, “….but that the members should have the same care one for another.”
• Serve one another. Galatians 5:13, “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.”
• Bear one another’s burdens. Galatians 6:2, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
• Forgive one another. Colossians 3:13, “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
• Comfort one another. 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.”
• Pray for one another. James 5:16, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

Our natural tendency is to consider our own interests first - to look at everything from the perspective of our own needs and wants. But with Jesus’ help we can unlearn that habit.

We can begin to think of the best interests of others - their wants, their concerns, their needs.

In giving of ourselves, we manifest the essence of Jesus’ character, for it has always been His nature to think more about others than He thinks of Himself.

And so, we must ask ourselves:

Do we consider others’ interests more important than our own?

Do we get as joyful about what God is doing in and through them as we do about what He is doing in and through us?

Do we long to see others grow in grace and gain recognition, though it may have been our efforts that made them successful?

Do we find satisfaction in seeing our spiritual children surpass us in the work they are called to do?

If so, such is the measurement of greatness.

Let us “walk in love.” That is, let us continually do the little acts of kindness that can make life bearable and better for another person.

We know all of us have felt the nudge to write a letter. Is there someone (a friend, family or church member) who comes to your mind who needs encouragement, thanks, or a reminder that you are praying for him or her? Who would be honoured and encouraged by an expression of your love and appreciation?

The practical way to express our love costs only the price of a postage stamp -plus paper, ink, and a little thought - or in this high-tech society, an e-mail or SMS on your mobile phone. Too often the letter goes unwritten and the impulse is unexpressed. We convince ourselves that we don’t have the time, or that our letter, e-mails or SMS won’t matter.

Therefore, let us take and make the time just to drop an unexpected note that could brighten another person’s day. Perhaps it is a note of appreciation, an expression of concern, or a compliment for a task well done.

Let us pray and ask God to open our eyes to people around us. Help us to see them as He does from above. Give us the wisdom and strength to take action, so others may see the depth of His love. We know that the more Christ’s love grows in us, the more His love flows from us.

Let us share God’s blessings with those who are in need. Practise hospitality. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Bear each other’s burdens. In this way we will fulfil the law of Christ. “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” (Galatians 6:10)

When we display Christ’s love for our fellow believers, it is more than just kindness or care. It is one of the most tangible ways we can show our love and devotion for our Saviour.

The late Deacon Yaw Chiew Tan

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