Love One Another???  Really?   A Word from THE WORD!!! #275

Jesus left us multiple instructions, but some of the most intense teaching, instruction and outpouring of Himself, happened on the last days before the crucifixion.  He knew what lay ahead, and He loves us so much that He cared about preparing His disciples and us to live lives of love, power and world-changing influence.  The first thing I want us to look at deals with our topic today.

“A new commandment

I give unto you,

That ye love one another;

as I have loved you,

that ye also love one another.

35 By this

shall all men know

that ye are my disciples,

if ye have love one to another.”  John 13:34-35

Don’t miss the import of the little words; “as I have loved you”-Jesus calls us to treat others with the love He has showered upon us.  Paul put it another way.

“Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren,

and exhort you by the Lord Jesus,

that as ye have received of us

how ye ought to walk

and to please God,

so ye would abound more and more.

2 For ye know what commandments we gave you

by the Lord Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 4:1-2

Are we willing to receive the truths of scripture and walk in them, or will we reject them and do it our our way!  Paul encouraged the Colossian believers as to how they should walk before God and man!

“Put on therefore,

as the elect of God,

holy and beloved,

bowels of mercies,

kindness,

humbleness of mind,

meekness,

longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another,

and forgiving one another,

if any man have a quarrel against any:

even as Christ forgave you,

so also do ye.

14 And above all these things

put on charity,

which is the bond of perfectness.

15 And let the peace of God

rule in your hearts,

to the which also ye are called

in one body;

and be ye thankful.”  Colossians 3:12-15

Not to belabor the point, but we are called to love God and others—how we treat others will realistically reveal how much we love God; Jesus made it very clear that our treatment of others reflects how much we love God, as he repsonded to a question meant to trick Him.

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him,

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God

with all thy heart,

and with all thy soul,

and with all thy mind.

38 This

is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it,

Thou shalt love thy neighbour

as thyself.

40 On these two commandments

hang all the law

and the prophets.”  Matthew 22:36-40

You may be asking the question, “How do we do this?”  And that is an honest question, and I will close with the passage that I believe answers that question of how we are to live in spiritual success.  Paul addresses this in his letter to the Romans, and it’s one of my favorite passages of comfort, courage and hope for today and tomorrow!

“Therefore being justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also

we have access by faith

into this grace wherein we stand,

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so,

but we glory in tribulations also:

knowing that tribulation

worketh patience;

4 And patience,

experience;

and experience,

hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed;

because the love of God

is shed abroad in our hearts

by the Holy Ghost

which is given unto us.

6 For when we were yet without strength,

in due time

Christ died for the ungodly.

7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die:

yet peradventure for a good man

some would even dare to die.

8 But God

commendeth his love toward us,

in that,

while we were yet sinners,

Christ died for us.

9 Much more then,

being now justified by his blood,

we shall be saved from wrath through him.

10 For if,

when we were enemies,

we were reconciled

to God

by the death of his Son,

much more, being reconciled,

we shall be saved by his life.

11 And not only so,

but we also joy in God

through our Lord Jesus Christ,

by whom

we have now received the atonement.”  Romans 5:1-11

I pray that this will encourage you today to know that you can “Really!  Love One Another?”, by the power of the cross and our blessed Redeemer Jesus.  May you remember that you can exercise love, “because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us”!  Give the Holy Spirit place in your life today and let that “love of God” flow through you and make a difference in your circle of influence!

Amen and Amen!!!