I Love it Here!
As they left the assembly the other day, a couple said as they walked by, “We love it here!” They proved the sentiment of their words by their smiling faces, their firm handshakes, and the quietness of their voices. Moreover, their faithful attendance speaks volumes regarding their love for God and those who worship Him in this place. It is this emotion that permeates the hearts of true Christians! It is this fellowship that one enjoys when each member purposely greets every other member, sees to the needs of each one, and makes welcome those who are not yet Christians, but show an interest in learning God’s truth.
Before we go further in this article, be well assured that Nancy and I share the sentiment expressed in the previous paragraph. We do not wish to sound “self-serving” in this statement, but freely admit our love for each of you and the work for our Lord in which we remain united. Yes, emphatically, we love it here!
It doesn’t take long to discover how much a Christian loves God, the brethren with whom he worships, and the work for the Lord in which they are engaged. Those who are truly in love with these factors of being a Christian find no other subject of greater interest than being a servant to King Jesus. They speak openly and lovingly of the work within their locality, and they speak with great affection regarding those comprising the local church of Christ of which they are a part. While they may share concern about the backsliding, like God did through His prophet Jeremiah, they do so with the desire to see their return and their repentance from dead works. These are the ones who need no reminders of what to do, when to do, or how to do God’s work: these are the ones who are always abounding in His work (1 Corinthians 15:58).
“I love it here,” is an effective statement! It encourages those who hear those words to notice why souls proclaim that truth. Visiting souls are searching for the truth, and their “first impressions” are lasting ones. As one visitor said just last week, “Thank you for making me feel welcome here.” Those words opened the door to say, “I’m glad you feel welcome. We’d love to help you learn more of God’s word and teach you what you need to know and obey regarding the gospel of Christ and the salvation of your soul.” When souls see OUR love for God and His work, they express sincere interest. They will only acquire this love through learning it from those who know it (1 John 2:3), and that requires those of us who prove our love with obedience!
Solomon said, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17) In the next chapter, Solomon said, “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24) This is the kind of love that brethren have for each other, and the kind of love that draws the interest of those seeking to be loved for the right reason – the eternity of their soul! Jesus proved this love when He died for sinners (John 15:13; Romans 5:8). It is this type of love that each Christian possesses when he is serving God faithfully (1 John 3:16 – 24).
How marvelous it is to see this love within the local church of Christ! No one is ignored. No one feels “left out.” Everyone is of equal importance, for each one is valued the same. There is no schism for it is banished by true love (1 Corinthians 12: 13 – 26). There is no respect of persons, i.e., one above another in prominence, for each member receives respect! (James 2: 1 – 9)
Yes, “I love it here,” is among the most rewarding statements a Christian can hear from the brethren with whom he/she worships! Joy, happiness, contentment, and all other blessings are from simply serving God as He sees fit to be served (Ephesians 1:3). God’s people do not rely on the innovations of man, nor the entertainments that appease fleshly desires, but rather, God’s people find joy, happiness, contentment, and peace that passes understanding by the simplicity of obeying Christ in all we say and do (Colossians 3:17). No greater love exists than this kind of love. This is why we can truly say, “I love it here!”