Jesus Christ certainly knew well the meaning of love. In John 13:34-35, Christ said, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

Loving the brethren is an essential ingredient in a Christian’s life. Jesus said we must love “as I have loved you”—that means agape, or godly love. That is a great deal of love!

Many people may have a natural affection for other people. Yet what we are now called on to show—godly love—is much more. In the dark and difficult days ahead, we are all going to find out just how much love we really have for each other.

Take the time to read 1 Corinthians 12:14-26. Notice verse 14: “For the body is not one member, but many.” Which member of the Church was called by a mistake? Of course there is none. We should ask ourselves, have we loved and encouraged others enough—as Christ loved us?

Love is the very first fruit of the Holy Spirit mentioned in Galatians 5:22. Without this love, one can never be in God’s Kingdom! When we truly and fully realize our tremendous responsibility—to show God-level love to each other—then that helps us better understand our importance in God’s Church and His Work.

Of course we are only important to the extent we are involved in God’s Work. Herbert W. Armstrong often noted that. If we are totally involved in God’s Work, then we are mightily important! Christ’s love was shown through His Work for the Father. Christ wants that love in us, and for each of us to understand how important our part is in the Work today!

Look at the speed at which events are unfolding all around us: worldwide rebellion of our youth, skyrocketing crime, drug abuse, sexual perversion, and breakdown of leadership on every front. We are hurtling toward fulfillment of the prophecy of Matthew 24:21-22.

Demonstrating Christ’s love active in us is backing the “prophesy again” message. A Church that has the love of Christ active in it is a unified force. When each member knows how important his part is within the Body, he becomes a fabulously effective tool for God to use.

The vision of accomplishing the Work of God must be burned in our minds and hearts. Every one of us must be deeply concerned about God’s overall Work. The great Family of God project must be paramount in our minds.

God has called us to do His family Work, and every member carries a heavy responsibility. Every member of the Church has a specific responsibility and is extraordinarily important, even if he is like a “little toe” in the Body (1 Corinthians 12). Christ’s love active in us through God’s Holy Spirit gives each of us the right attitude and mindset of “being important for God.”

Today our commission (Revelation 10:11) is a fantastic opportunity. Think how the great Creator God has looked down on you and specifically called you to join His labor force! What an honor! God wants each of us to understand how important we are to Him. We may be few in number, but this commission is not about numbers of people. It is about people who know and understand the importance of their part in it. God doesn’t need numbers. He needs truly far-sighted, vision-oriented, dedicated people for His purpose.

Brethren, you are very important. Consider your responsibility in your daily sacrifice for God; enduring; prayers, study, meditation and fasting; preparation as the Bride; faithfulness in tithes, offerings and special offerings to the building fund; love for each other and building unity; your example; your marriage and your child rearing; your faith in trials; your active caring for the widows, fatherless and elderly; dedication to supporting headquarters—I could go on and on!

How important it is to be important for God. Think how important it is to be qualifying right now to assist in the government of God in the very near future.

Read Psalm 8:3-4, 6. Ponder your awesome future; your part in God’s Work today in His Church is preparing you for your incredible human potential. There will never be a time anywhere along the way when our job will not be important. Everyone has a “piece of the action.” You may be a “little toe,” but ensure you are the best “little toe” possible.

Now is the time to “get busy being important” by answering yes to the question posed at the beginning, “Have I loved and encouraged others enough—as Christ loved me?”

Think on these important things!