Labor of Love

Lovest thou me?…Feed my sheep. John 21:16

Our Lord joins love and labor. Our service for Him is a “labor of love” (1 Thess. 1:3), a labor growing out of love. We should feed not only the sheep He has, but other sheep that He seeks we should help to bring into the fold.

Our Lord never thought of relationship to Him that does not issue in fruitfulness for Him. If we abide in Him we shall bring forth much fruit (John. 15:5). He that is with Him gathers with Him. He had no thought of fellowship without fruitfulness. We are married to Another, that we might bring forth unto God (Rom. 7:4).

There is no place in Scripture for this type of church member who sings, “O How I Love Jesus,” but feeds no sheep; who sings, “Rescue the Perishing,” but does no rescue work himself.

“He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.” “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” Because we love, we labor.