If anyone has caused grief, he has not so much grieved me as he has grieved all of you, to some extent - not to put it too severely. The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.
Paul advised us to reaffirm our love for those who are weak. That's how the Lord loves us, for God's love is like love from a mother, which is a love that never gives up. Even though we often disobey God, He still loves us with everlasting love. In my own spiritual journey, several time I have told God: "Don't worry about me anymore; starting now, let's just go on our separate ways!" I thank God because He never really listened to my prayer, and He continued to protect me till now. Experiencing the steadfast love from the Lord really helps us to understand how to love others with the same steadfast love. In fact, only those who have been loved before can truly love others and know how to get along with others.
We often talk about love at church, and we clearly understand the concept, but it doesn't mean we have truly experienced it. If you've never experienced the love of God, which is patient and kind, then you'll never be able to love brothers and sisters with the kind of love that is patient and kind. In the story of the prodigal son, who actually experienced the father's patient and kind love? It's the younger son. He ran away from home, wandered around and ended up not even able to eat pig food. After he returned home, the father accepted him again and gave him ring and coat that only a son was entitled to, which mean he was accepted as a son. The elder son witnessed all these and couldn't stand it anymore. Why was that? Because the elder son thought that he was entitled to everything that he had. He never experienced the father's merciful and kind love, because he didn't think he needed it.
Many in the church are holding grudge against God and want to rebel against Him, and they also complain about others and judge them. These people have never experience God's patient and kind love. Only the prodigal son truly understood what a patient and kind love is when he was once again accepted by his father's love after he returned home. Do you feel exhausted as you try to give more? May the Lord shower you and fill you with His love starting today!
Pray with Pastor Tong
Lord, I ask that you once again shower the brothers and sisters with your love, because only your love can satisfy them, and only your love can let them feel loved so that they may love others. Lord, please manifest your steadfast love to us today. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!
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