DAILY TEXT, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, Love one another (John 15:17).

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Tuesday, June 17, 2025

That they love one another (John 15:17).

We often find this commandment in the Bible: “Love one another” (John 15:12; Rom. 13:8; 1 Thess. 4:9; 1 Pet. 1:22; 1 John 4:11). But love is a feeling that grows in the heart; no one can see it. So how can we express this feeling so that others can see what is in our hearts? Through our words and actions.

There are many ways to show our brothers and sisters that we love them. The Bible gives us some examples. We are to “tell the truth to one another” (Zech. 8:16). “Keep peace with one another” (Mark 9:50). “Take the initiative to honor one another” (Rom. 12:10). “Receive one another gladly” (Rom. 15:7). “Keep [...] forgiving one another” (Col. 3:13). “Keep bearing one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2). “Keep comforting one another” (1 Thess. 4:18). “Keep [...] building one another up” (1 Thess. 5:11). “Pray for one another” (James 5:16). w23:11 9 pars. 7, 8.

Why do we say that comforting others is an important way to show them love?

Let's take a deeper look at one of the ways we saw in the previous paragraph to show love. Paul said, “Keep comforting one another.” Why do we say that comforting others is an important way to show them love? A Bible reference work explains that the Greek word Paul used for “comfort” means “to stand beside a person to encourage them when they face difficult trials.” So, when we comfort a brother or sister who is suffering, we help them continue walking on the path that leads to life. Whenever a brother or sister needs a shoulder to cry on and we are there, we are telling them we love them (2 Cor. 7:6, 7, 13).

Why do we say that feeling compassion and giving comfort go hand in hand?

Feeling compassion and giving comfort go hand in hand. Why do we say this? Because when a person feels compassion for someone who is suffering, they want to comfort them and do something to help them. So we first feel compassion, and then that feeling moves us to give comfort. The same thing happens with Jehovah. Paul explained that God's compassion for people motivates him to comfort them. He said that Jehovah is “the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort” (2 Cor. 1:3).

By “tender mercies,” Paul refers to a feeling of compassion. He calls Jehovah “the Father” or the source of “tender mercies” because compassion emanates from him. And that feeling motivates him to comfort us “in all our trials.” (2 Cor. 1:4) Just as water flowing from a spring quenches people’s thirst, Jehovah calms and comforts the hearts of those who are suffering. What will help us feel compassion and comfort others, just as Jehovah does? Cultivate qualities related to comfort. Let’s look at some of them.

According to Colossians 3:12 and 1 Peter 3:8, what qualities will help us love and comfort others?

What will help us continue loving and comforting one another day after day? Cultivating qualities like empathy, brotherly affection, and kindness (read Colossians 3:12; 1 Peter 3:8). When compassion and similar qualities become part of our personality, it is natural for us to comfort those who are going through difficult times. Jesus explained it this way: “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. A kind person brings forth good things from the storehouse of kindness” (Matt. 12:34, 35). Clearly, comforting our brothers and sisters is an important way to show them our love.

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