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loving others

Maintaining Unity

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“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (NIV) Matthew 22:36-40

The reality of loving God with the intensity of the first command, is directly linked to our loving others in a Biblical manner. John wrote about the correlation between loving God and loving others in 1 John:

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. . . .If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. (NIV) I John 4:7-11; 20-21.

Unfortunately loving others is inevitably difficult. Conflict exists everywhere. In every relationship, there is the potential for conflict. Listen to what Jesus says about the seriousness of resolving breaks in relationships:

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift. (NIV) Matthew 5:23-24

Even when you are worshiping God or serving Him, and remember that someone (a spouse, another Christian, a neighbor, a co-worker) has something against you, you are to cease your worship, go and seek reconciliation, and then return to your worship. How many of us put that into practice?

The reason for seeking reconciliation with other Christians is to eliminate divisions among believers. Unity of mind and purpose should characterize believers since the unity of the body of Christ (or the church) is from and in the Holy Spirit.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. (NIV) John 17:20-23

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. (NIV) 1 Corinthians 1:10

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. (NIV) Philippians 2:1-2

For Christians, no conflict is unresolvable!

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A Christ-Following Quiz

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My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. (NIV) John 10:27

  • Are you being diligent in learning to accurately handle God’s Word? (2 Timothy 2:15)
  • How consistently do you examine yourself in light of God’s Word? or are you simply comparing yourself to how others live? (1 Samuel 16:7; 2 Corinthians 10:12; Hebrews 4:12)
  • Are you a doer of the Word? How much does your life reflect an increasing obedience to God’s Word? (James 1:22-25)
  • Do you deny yourself by trying to put off your natural self-centeredness? or do you only think of yourself? (Matthew 10:38-39; Luke 9:23-24)
  • Do you put the welfare of others ahead of yourself? or are you always looking out for number 1? (Philippians 2:3-4)
  • Are you loving others in Biblical ways? (1 Corinthians 13)
  • Are you forgiving others as Christ has forgiven you? or are you hanging on to your “rights”? (Ephesians 4:32; James 4:17; Psalm 103:10; Psalm 51:9)

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (NIV) Matthew 16:24

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

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Do Everything In Love

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God tells us that we are to love others not only through the words we say, but also through our actions. How are you extending love in tangible ways to the neighbors you know? There’s a saying, “Love isn’t love until you give it away.” You may feel love towards someone, but you also need to express your love to that individual.

How do you express your love for someone in words?
How do you express your love through acts of kindness?
When was the last time you extended an act of love to someone? What was it?
How do you express your love through acts of sacrifice? through acts of service? through acts of forgiveness?
When was the last time you unselfishly “served” your neighbor? When will you choose to serve someone again?
How do you express your love to those in need? to those who are unhealthy? to those who are hurting? to those who are unlovely?
In what tangible ways do you express Christ’s love to others?

One of the greatest ways that you can extend love to your neighbor is by praying for him or her. As you spend time with your neighbors, listen to their needs and take mental note of how you can pray for them. Make a commitment to pray for your neighbors everyday. . . and then watch for how God answers your prayers! You’ll be amazed at how powerfully God wants to use you and your praying to extend His love to your neighbors!

So which neighbor will you pray for today?

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God's Standards of Love

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Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (NIV) 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

How do you measure up against God’s standards for love?

When was the last time you lost your patience? this morning? last night? 2 days ago?

When was the last time you said an unkind word? made an unkind action? had an unkind thought? purposely withheld kindness?

When was the last time you wanted what someone else has? their money? their looks? their health? their spouse? their children? their parents? their home? their faith? their knowledge? their personality? their lifestyle?

When was the last time you were boastful? you brought attention to yourself? you brought attention to your family? you bragged about what you have accomplished? you exaggerated about what you’ve done?

When was the last time you got angry? lost your temper? screamed at your kids? screamed at your spouse? got angry with a check out clerk or serviceman? What causes you to “blow up?” How do you handle your anger?

When was the last time you held a grudge? kept track of how someone has treated you? Do you refuse to apologize until the guilty party confesses their wrong? When you forgive others, do you truly attempt to not hold the wrong against them? Do you comfort them after forgiveness?

How do you measure up against God’s standards for love?

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Love One Another

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“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  (NIV) John 13:34-35

Loving and caring for one another is not an option for the Christian. It is a mandate. Our love for one another is the solid proof of our love for the God.

  • My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. (John 15:12)
  • This is my command: Love each other. (John 15:17)
  • Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:10)
  • Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. (Romans 12:10)
  • You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.  (Galatians 5:13)
  • Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:2)
  • May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. (1 Thessalonians 3:12)
  • Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other. (1 Thessalonians 4:9)
  • And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (Hebrews 10:24)
  • Keep on loving each other as brothers. (Hebrews 13:1)
  • Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. (1 Peter 1:22)
  • Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. (1 Peter 3:8)
  • Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8)
  • This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. (I John 3:11)
  • And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. (I John 3:23)
  • Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  (I John 4:7)
  • Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (I John 4:11)
  • No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. (I John 4:12)
  • And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. (2 John 1:5)

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

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Love One Another

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“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  (NIV) John 13:34-35

God created us to be in relationship with Himself and with others. In eternity there will only be 2 things apart from God. . .God’s Word and God’s children. The reality of this should challenge us to seek to have more God-honoring relationships now. There are over 50 references in the New Testament about how we are to relate to “one another.” Most of these passages address our behavior, not just our attitudes.

  • “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:34-35
  • Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10
  • You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13
  • Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2
  • And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24
  • Keep on loving each other as brothers.  Hebrews 13:1
  • Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.  1 Peter 1:22
  • Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.  1 Peter 3:8
  • Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8
  • This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.  I John 3:11
  • And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. I John 3:23
  • Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. I John 4:7
  • Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. I John 4:11
  • No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. I John 4:12
  • And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. II John 1:5

How can you better extend your love to one another?

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

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Love's Lifestyle

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. . .live a life of love. . . (NIV) Ephesians 5:2

When God’s love is awakened within a soul, it transforms character. The transformation is increasing Christ-likeness.

** Love provides motivation. Paul wrote that it is Christ’s love that compels us (2 Corinthians 5:14). God wants to bring us to the point where we no longer live for ourselves, but for Him.
** Love prompts obedience. Anything less than obedience prompted from love, eventually falters. Simply stated the one who loves, is the one who obeys. True love for God prompts obedience, which in turn deepens our relationship with God and increases our faith.
** Love provides purpose. Not only does God call us to love Him, He also calls us to love others. Only such a love can begin to capture the wonderful purpose that God has for His children.
** Love compels concern. Love moves believers to freely and sacrificially share with others.
** Love stabilizes relationships. Only Christ-like love can maintain relationships and preserve the unity in the body of Christ.

How are you growing in your love? How is Christ’s love for you tranforming your character? If you’re not sure how to live a life of love, try reading 1 Corithians 13 and make it your goal to live a lifestyle of love each day!

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Do Everything In Love

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Do everything in love. (NIV) 1 Corinthians 16:14

God tells us that we are to love others not only through the words we say, but also through our actions. How are you extending love in tangible ways to the neighbors you know? There’s a saying, “Love isn’t love until you give it away.” You may feel love towards someone, but you also need to express your love to that individual.

How do you express your love for someone in words?
How do you express your love through acts of kindness?
When was the last time you extended an act of love to someone? What was it?
How do you express your love through acts of sacrifice? through acts of service? through acts of forgiveness?
When was the last time you unselfishly “served” your neighbor? When will you choose to serve someone again?
How do you express your love to those in need? to those who are unhealthy? to those who are hurting? to those who are unlovely?
In what tangible ways do you express Christ’s love to others?

One of the greatest ways that you can extend love to your neighbor is by praying for him or her. As you spend time with your neighbors, listen to their needs and take mental note of how you can pray for them. Make a commitment to pray for your neighbors everyday. . . and then watch for how God answers your prayers! You’ll be amazed at how powerfully God wants to use you and your praying to extend His love to your neighbors!

So which neighbor will you pray for today?

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