“Loving One Another”
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).
❖ How do we measure up to this standard?
Jesus said that a distinguishing mark of the saints would be the love we show toward each other.
The biblical term for love is not primarily an emotion, but a behavior. The focus is not on feelings, but on action. (love is, what love does)
For instance, Jesus taught us,“Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44). This command does not require us to manufacture fond or romantic feelings toward those who do wrong and mistreat us, but it teaches us to treat them kindly and compassionately, showing love in the face of persecution and opposition. “Don’t render evil for evil” Thus, Jesus went on to explain in the same verse,“Bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”
James explained that true holiness is revealed not by what we profess, but by what we do: “If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? (James 2:15-17).
John also emphasized that we must express love by action. “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and (we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren). But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (I John 3:16-18).
In fact, if we claim to love Jesus but do not show love to people, then we only deceive ourselves. “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that
loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also” (I John 4:20-21).
As this passage indicates, love should begin within the church. Paul instructed,“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (Galatians 6:10).
If we cannot act lovingly toward one another, then we certainly will not act lovingly toward sinners and those who oppose the truth. Therefore, each of us needs to ask ourselves.
✔ Am I showing love toward others, especially fellow brethren? Or more specifically,
✔ What am I doing to demonstrate and impart Jesus’ love to other people, especially those in the church?
Answering these questions certainly include the avoidance of any actions that could harm others. Thus we must not sow seeds of discord, cause strife, become talebearers, or put a stumbling block in people’s lives.
These questions also involve positive actions such as intercessory prayer, encouragement, courtesy, kindness, mercy, forgiveness and practical forms of assistance in times of need. (Colossians 3:12-14)
Those that are in leadership should make a special effort to keep every Saint and Seeker encouraged to be in fellowship with the Spirit of God and one another (1 John 1:1-7). To identify special needs to which our ministerial fellowship can respond. All members of the Church should stay connected and involved in the work of the fellowship of the Spirit and reach out to others in the Body of Christ. If our brothers or sisters are in need, let us do what we can to encourage and support them. Be an inspiration, help them in times of need, and share their burden. (Proverbs 17:17)
In keeping the commandment, we will show the world that we are truly disciples of Jesus Christ.
REMEMBER: LOVE IS, WHAT LOVE DOES!
by Elder Bruce Sanders