Loving Others, Loving Jesus

September 3, 2025

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

“I really only love God as much as I love the person I love the least.”

Ouch! Is this true? This quote shocked me! In fact, it rocked me! It came from Dorothy Day, an American social activist who focused her resources on helping the poor in the early 1900s. Philip Yancey wrote about her in his devotional book entitled, Grace Notes. When I read it, I actually had to stop and reread her words:

She said, “I really only love God as much as I love the person I love the least.” Stop right there! Back up and read it again slowly.

In speaking about a future day of reward, Jesus addressed those in His kingdom about how they had fed Him when He was hungry, given Him drink when He was thirsty, visited Him when He was lonely, clothed Him when He was needy, and cared for Him when He was ill. They were obviously puzzled and asked, “When did we do this to you? We don’t remember treating you like this?”

Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me” (Matthew 25:40). In reaching out to the undesirables, they had touched Christ.

Jesus was teaching that the way in which we treat others is how we treat Him. Our treatment of others is a reflection of our love to them or, should I say, our love to God, our love to Jesus.

So I have to ask it, first to my own heart and then to yours: “Who do you love the least and what have done to help that person lately?” It’s all very searching and we definitely need divine enabling. May God help us today to love others like we are loving Jesus.

Thank you for your desire to join us in prayer each Wednesday for revival and our prodigals.

Grace and love to each,

Bryan and Rachel