[ampaterry]

An incident is told about two soldiers who had recently been released from a prison camp in Siberia following World War II. "We did our best," said an officer, "to return the men as fast as possible, but many were still there when winter threatened to close up the port." Only a limited number could board the last small boat. Among those waiting to be transported were two who had been chums all through the war. One of them was selected, but the other seemed doomed to remain behind. An order was given that those who were leaving could take only one important item of luggage. One duffel bag, that’s it! Any one who has been in the service knows one bag means one bag!! The heart of the man who was chosen went out to his buddy, so he emptied his dufflebag of its prized souvenirs and his personal belongings, every scant little item he had managed to save during these trying times, and told his companion to get into the canvas sack. Then carefully lifting the bag on his shoulders, he boarded the ship with his friend as his single, most precious possession. The service allowed this, because they are sticklers for rules and regulations, and the rules said one bag, but did not mention the contents!

Have you ever talked to anyone that has survived Prison Camp? They will have a scrap of cloth, perhaps a hidden bible, little tiny things that helped them to maintain their sanity during their imprisonment, things which are all the physical possessions they had during these terrible times, which they consider very important to them! All of these, he dumped on the ground – and carried out his friend. Why do this? His friend was in no danger, he would be well cared for – but he would arrive home later than need be.

Galatians 5:13-14 (KJV);
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

This man truly loved his neighbor as himself. Do you?