Love can save souls! – Sis. Stella Dhinakaran

“Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.” (I Corinthians 8:1)
A deeply devoted life is one that loves Christ Jesus with zeal and fervour. The Apostle Paul encountered various tribulations and reproaches during his ministry but he was not constrained by any of them. We read in Acts 17:16 that while Paul waited in the city of Athens, his spirit was provoked within him when he saw that the city was filled with many acts that displease God. Do we really have such provocation of our spirit within us concerning those who do not know the Lord?  The Lord Himself was burdened looking at people who were ignorant. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd (Matthew 9:36). Jesus always considered His children like sheep. Sheep are usually dim-witted. They do not know what they are doing. They are so vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy. That is why the shepherd goes before the sheep so that they will follow Him blindly. Many of us are also like the sheep. It is easy to devour us and that is why the devil roams around seeking whom he can devour (1 Peter 5:8). But thanks be to God for He shed His blood on the cross to shield His sheep from the attacks of the devil.

Bro. Dhinakaran never tried to correct people who were completely ignorant about the Lord Jesus Christ using harsh and painful words. Instead, he spoke to them in all humility. Filled with the love of Christ, he told them how his imperfect life was transformed and blessed by the Lord. He assured them that the Lord would show the same love to them, too. He explained these truths to them in simple ways with great zeal. Highly qualified and eminent people and higher officials who did not know Christ would hear him with rapt attention. They would come to know the truth.

Therefore, my dearly beloved! First of all, to live like this, we should possess a divine life that overflows with the love of the Lord and have the knowledge about Him and then, examine ourselves and see what kind of knowledge we have about Christ Jesus and how much of zeal and love we have for Him. Shall we grow in our deep devotion and edification for Him with great zeal and also help others to recognize the greatness of this divine love? In the Old testament too, God says “And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left and also many animals?” (Jonah 4:11). The world is still filled with such innocent people who follow their traditions without knowing the truth. God has concern and compassion for all of them. It is your duty and mine to take Christ to them through our lives. Let us commit ourselves to Christ’s commission to be the salt and light in this world bringing many to Him.

Prayer:
Loving Heavenly Father!

Grant me all the knowledge in my life to recognize the true love and the great zeal towards things concerning You. Teach me the deep mysteries and grant me grace to make people understand Your love by my divine fervour. Let the burden of souls press me to pray for their salvation earnestly. Let me tarry for them like how Abraham pleaded for ten righteous people in the city to be protected from the destruction. May Your love compel me to stand in the gap for the sake of those who are ignorant of You.

In the loving name of our Lord Jesus I humbly pray, O Father,

Amen.