Because John, the Apostle of Love, outlived all the other apostles, he filled a unique and patriarchal roll in the early church that lasted nearly to the end of the 1st century and reached deep into Asia Minor. His personal influence was therefore indelibly stamped on the primitive church, well into the post-apostolic era.
One of God’s goals for all of us is that we realize the “selves” He originally intended us to be; each different from the next with a unique combination of personality traits, interests and locations along the spiritual path.
Everywhere we go we can encourage people, building them up, challenging them to reach for new heights. God has given us this assignment to love.
God made each of us as a unique individual, so we really shouldn’t be surprised when we grate against one another occasionally.
So often we choose to face life’s issues and circumstances in exactly the same way as someone without the Spirit of God.
Explore what Jesus, Peter and Paul said about God’s love for strangers and foreigners.
Jesus’ rescuing love sets the standard for Christian holiness & transfigures the lives of those who are fellow workers with God.
Early stages of spiritual growth require personal effort & choice. Mature spirituality is also intensely social for it is a life shared with all creatures in heaven and earth.
We can see that all is not okay in the world. Loving those in need has a way of creating within us a righteous discontent, causing us to seek causes and explanation; prompting us to see patterns and connections.
An enlightening explanation of the multitude of ways that God loves us as unveiled in the Old Testament. You may never have realized what is revealed but you will surely recognize it.
Spiritual Meditations 