Sheep of His Pasture

I have learned from years of children's ministry that being forced to answer their questions can be one of the best teachers to myself. This week the Bible verse we were discussing was:

Psalms 100:3,

"Know ye that the LORD he is God:

it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture."

"How would you apply that, do what the verse says in your life," I asked.

"It helps me be kind to my friends."

"How does this verse help you?"

"Ummm. This part, 'we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture.' "

"Is it because you know how special you are to God and that makes you want to share that with others?" I prompted. She looked like that wasn't quite it, so I guessed again. "Because they're special to God, you treat them with kindness?"

Her head nodded. What an idea. In church this morning I was thinking about how I'm supposed to be loving people because they're God's sheep of His pasture. Like parents who want others to treat their children honestly and faithfully, God wants us to treat each other with love.

John 13:34,

"A new commandment I give unto you,

That ye love one another;

as I have loved you, that ye also love one another."

To God be all glory.