Love Needed for Minstry

In the Word of God nothing is clearer than the longsuffering of God which seeks and waits for individuals to repent of their sins before His holiness requires judgment for those sins. He rises to judgment only when iniquity is full. Pray daily that many sinners will find cleansing through the blood of Jesus Christ. Intercede earnestly for unsaved individuals that they will come to God by the “new and living way” (Hebrews 10:20). Pray for the SMS missionaries that they would rise to any occasion to proclaim the Good News “that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15).

In the Christian community, the place of prime importance has been assigned to love. Love is the attribute that must distinguish the Lord’s people from others. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). In the analysis of the fruit of the Spirit, love is given first place. “The fruit of the Spirit is love…” (Galatians 5:22).

This love is dynamic. It possesses the power to build the individual believer. “The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another and toward all men” (1 Thessalonians 3:12). God’s love is not merely a feeling that changes with mood or emotion. God’s love is based upon His character. “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us…” (Titus 3:4-5). The believer must be immersed in the love of God in order to proclaim that love effectively to the brethren and to the world. “Seeing ye have purified your souls in your obedience to the truth unto unfeigned love of the brethren, love one another from the heart fervently” (1 Peter 1:22).

This love is demonstrative. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” ( Romans 5:8). This love which has been bestowed upon the believer by God’s grace and mercy must be shared with all men. “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law… and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:8-10). God enables the believer to love others just like His Son Jesus did when He was upon the earth. This love is expressed through the power of the Holy Spirit. People will recognize if the believer is just pretending to love. If the motive is not genuine, then people will reject the mere pretense of love.

This love is dependable. “Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:8). God’s love never wavers toward the believer. It is consistent and continual. Because God “first loved” the believers (1 John 4:19) and has given to them the gift of the Holy Spirit, they are able to “love one another, just as He commanded us” (1 John 3:23-24). “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16), and “Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). The love of God will assist the believer in this life to act according to God’s precepts and principles. Then, it will assure the believer that He is living for God in devoted obedience and dedicated service toward Him. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Therefore, love must be the prime motive for all service to God. “For the love of Christ controls us” (2 Corinthians 5:14). Ask God to encourage the missionaries of Slavic Missionary Service to “abound in love for one another and for all men” (1 Thessalonians 3:12). Pray that God will help the SMS national workers “to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge” (Ephesians 319). Pray that they will always “walk in love” (Ephesians 5:2) and “through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

Pray that the Gospel will reach the millions in the Slavic countries that have not yet heard what Christ has done for them. Many small cities and towns still do not have an official place of worship. Ask God to help the Slavic churches be effective witnesses in their neighborhoods. Pray that souls will continue to be saved, baptized and discipled through the ministries of the church. Pray that the Holy Spirit powerfully and persistently will convict men of sin and lead many to believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.