Counsel of Spiritual Life

Counsel #17 — Love others

Picture: Counsel #17 — Love others CSL 34.1

Think about someone you really care for. Naturally, you want to do things that bring them joy and show just how much they mean to you, right? Well, Jesus tells us that one way to show our love and care for Him is by looking out for the people who often get overlooked — those who are poor, facing injustice, being taken advantage of, or simply seen as unlovable. CSL 34.2

When we go out of our way to be generous and kind to people who can't possibly repay us, Jesus sees it as if we were doing it directly for Him. It's like we become His hands and feet in the world, actively showing His love. And as we do that, we grow closer to Him, building a deeper connection through serving those He also loves.¹² CSL 34.3

“Then the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” Matthew 25:40 NKJV CSL 34.4

“In Matthew 25 Jesus identifies Himself with His suffering people. Jesus is hungry and thirsty. Jesus is the stranger. Jesus needs clothes. Jesus is sick. Jesus is in prison.” Ellen White in A Call to Stand Apart, p.92 CSL 34.5

Reflect: The passage above highlights Jesus' identification with the hungry, thirsty, strangers, those needing clothes, the sick, and those in prison. Why do you think Jesus chose to identify with these particular groups? CSL 34.6