1st John 4:20. “If a man say, I love God, whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” SEEN…NOT SEEN. He is there – every day he’s there waiting and wondering – “Does anyone care for me? Is this all life is supposed to be?” And I am here – blessed with the Gospel – sitting and observing, “Where should I go? What should I do? What does God want from me?”
And my brother waits and wonders – and no one ever comes. Who will be the one to act and show him the love of God? Why doesn’t someone go – can’t someone take that man home? Where are all the brothers who attend so much to God’s Word?
Then I pass by a mirror and see in that glass a face. There is a person in there who could show love if he would. That person rises and leaves his well-designed and comfortable place, And goes out to find that lost brother in the way he always should.
He shows an interest and care responding to obvious need. The one who was waiting in bitterness and darkness To acts of kindness and love, now he begins to take heed. And through love that is genuine, God reveals His grace.
Finally, it dawns on me that loving the brother, and God is the same. Though I’ve never seen God I truly love Him – For personal praise and the results of love I can’t claim, But now love for God is no longer so dim.
I serve God when I am serving my brother, And my love for God is seen in the same way. Whether it is the brother I know or some other, Love for God is seen by what I do and say.
“I know, O God that often I have overlooked those that seem to be bypassed by others and I am prone to do the same. I think of that woman standing by the wall alone, and she seemed so glad that I stopped and shook her hand. I am ashamed I didn’t stop and hold a meaningful conversation. Forgive me I pray, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”