Your Duty to Love (Psalm 133:1)

Throughout the ages, the world has experienced the disastrous consequences of disunity. The church, instead of being one in the spirit as Jesus prayed, is divided and precious time is wasted as the various denominations and groups argue over comparatively minor issues instead of uniting in the strife against misunderstanding. War, civil unrest and acts of aggression and terrorism are shaking civilisation to its foundation, and these dreadful acts seem to be increasing rather than decreasing.

A variety of reasons are put forward concerning the causes of these divisions and the unrest, but the root cause must surely be the complete disregard by man of our Lord's command to "Love one another, as I have loved you." It seems to be beyond all doubt that obedience to that command would solve all the problems confronting mankind and the world in these critical times.

The starting point is not at international level but with you. The ordinary Christian is called to love, to be compassionate, understanding and tolerant, to forget pride and prejudice and to be sympathetic to the views of others. The smallest pebble dropped in a pond will send ripples throughout that pond. Your act of Christian love could be the beginning of a ripple effect across the length and breadth of the country. Why not put this into effect? After all, it is your duty.

Bro David Yelulani (Banket, Zimbabwe)