LOVE ONE ANOTHER
People say they love all kinds of things. On one hand, we can tell our spouses, family and friends that we love them, only to turn around and talk about the movies we love, or the food we love. I happen to “love” tacos. However, my love for a taco has nothing to do with what I can do for the taco, but what the taco can do for me. It satisfies my taste buds along with my hunger.
So often we say we love someone or something only because of what they can bring to us and not what we can bring to them. Is this really Christ-like love? On the eve of His death, Jesus made the following statement to His disciples.
Joh 13:34-35 NKJV A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. (35) By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
Jesus places himself as the example of what it means to love. Earlier in this chapter, He became a servant to the disciples as He washed their feet. Of course, His ultimate act of love was when He gave His very life on the cross and shed His blood for our sins.
According to Jesus, how will the world know we are His disciples?
a. We regularly attend church.
b. We daily read our Bible.
c. We pray at least an hour a day.
d. We show love for one another.
LOVE IS MORE THAN WORDS
1Jn 3:18 NKJV My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
We can say we love one another, but until we actually demonstrate love through our actions, it’s questionable whether or not it is truly love. We can be thankful that Jesus didn’t just say He loved us, but He showed His love through His sacrifice. It is because of this great sacrifice we can be saved and brought into the family of God for all eternity.
Can you imagine if the people who raised you said they loved you, but never fed you, clothed you, bathed you or provided a safe shelter for you? If they failed to do that, it would be questionable whether or not they truly loved you.
PAY ATTENTION TO OTHERS
It’s important to consider our brothers and sisters in Christ. When we gather with other believers, how much do we really pay attention to them?
Heb 10:24-25 NKJV And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, (25) not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Many times, people come to church only for what they can receive. They enjoy the worship and the preaching of the Word, but we’re not just there for God and ourselves, but also for the people who are around us. Considering one another, isn’t just about recognizing those around us, but engaging with them and learning how we might bless them.
THEY’RE BETTER THAN YOU
Involving ourselves in the lives of others in a manner which will bless them, truly is an act of humility. And remember, this is how the world will know that we truly are the disciples of Jesus Christ.
Php 2:3-4 NKJV Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. (4) Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
How much do we really know about the people around us? Do we know where they work? How long they’ve been coming to church? What they like to do for fun? Asking these simple questions demonstrates our interest in others and opens the door of opportunity to demonstrate love in their life.
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1. Can you think of an example of how people in the church demonstrated love toward you?
2. Who is the most loving person you know, and why?
3. When you attend church, what makes you feel most welcomed?
4. What do you do to demonstrate the love of Christ toward others?
PUT INTO ACTION
This week, find someone in the church and learn something new about them.
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