If You Love Me, You Will Love Others

I would like for you to meet Daniela, a twenty-one year old young lady who is a member of a Bible Study group that meets in my apartment each week. The group is made up of 8-10 young ladies. We started meeting about 8 months ago. Our first study was "I've Been Born Again, What Next". We just completed "John, Behold the Lamb". At our last meeting they decided the next study would be "Galatians, From Law to Grace".

I have been richly blessed to have the pleasure of watching these young ladies grow in the Lord throughout these studies. Their knowledge of the Bible has grown as well as their personal prayer life. Each of the girls have touched my life in their own individual ways.

There's more I want to share with you about Daniela. Daniela and her 3 sisters come from a broken home. Her 3 sisters are younger than her, at 21 years of age, Daniela has had to fill the parent role for several months now. She is the sole financial support they have with the exception of some money their Mother is able to send occasionally. Daniela must be the disciplinarian, which often causes some difficult situations and hard feelings between her and her sisters. She has had to grow up way too fast. It is such a blessing that all of them are born again believers.

I'm not sure at what age Daniela accepted Christ as her Savior. During these past months I've watched her love for the Lord change. Change how? Similar to the way Peter's love for Christ changed. We all know how Peter denied Christ 3 times. Even when Peter denied Him, Jesus loved him. Later Jesus questioned Peter if he loved him more than the other disciple did. Peter's answer was: "Yes, Lord you know that I am your friend." Jesus asked Peter the same question again, and once again Peter answered the same way, "Yes, Lord you know I am your friend." Peter's kind of love is "phileo", which means friendship. The third time Jesus asked Peter, do you love (agape) me? This is the kind of love Christ has for us. The kind of love that led him to the cross to die for us. Jesus accepted Peter's "phileo" love, but Christ led Peter to a deeper love for him, eventually Peter did die as a result for his love for Jesus Christ.

Daniela's love of Christ has grown from a flickering dimly lit candle to flaming fire. She has a heart full of love for her family, friends and others around her that know nothing about the "agape" love that Jesus has to offer. Daniela has stepped out in faith, following the leadership of God and formed her own group. There are about 10-12 people in her group and some of them are non-believers. I'm praying in that group there will be another "Daniela" that will come forward, step out in faith, become a leader, form another group, and win more souls to the Kingdom.