“A new command I give you: LOVE ONE ANOTHER. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
-John 13:34-35
Without a doubt, God loves each and every one of us.
This is why Jesus has given us this important commandment- to love one another as much as He loves us. Such love is meant to be expressed among our brethren. The failure or inability to express this love puts a distance between brothers and sisters in the family of God because it impacts our fellowship with one another. Love is the greatest virtue and fruit of The Spirit because it is the catalyst that binds all of God’s people together. The reason why there is such a significant emphasis on love, is because of God’s desire to unite His people.
Here are 4 things we can take note of to keep the love alive between the children of God:
1.) MEMBERS OF ONE ANOTHER
“And over all these virtues put love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” -Colossians 3:14
Just how a body needs each part to function effectively, same goes for The Body of Christ. Despite our diversity, each of the members should walk harmoniously and in unity. Being as “one body” in God’s family gives us congruence in pursuing the Great Commission and building the Church.
2.) WE SHOULD BE DEVOTED TO ONE ANOTHER
“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.” -Romans 12:10
A part of this commandment is for us to be kindly affectionate to one another in brotherly love. Like every family, love is expressed by each of the members, the same thing goes for the Family of God. Aside from AGAPE love, brotherly love is exhibited in PHILEO love; which is camaraderie and fellowship with one another.
3.) ADMONISH ONE ANOTHER
Colossians 3:16 and Romans 15:4
God calls us admonish; to instruct, counsel, exhort, give correction when needed and warn against spiritual danger. This part may be a challenge at times, but it is an important way of expressing love and care. It shows that we care enough to look out for our brethren to call their attention when they stray from the Godly path. Admonishment opens a door for others to mature and be restored in their faith.
Here are important things to keep in mind about the right way of admonishing:
- It must be done with deep concern and love (Acts 20:31)
- It must be personal and persistent
- It must be done with pure motives (1 Corinthians 4:14)
- It must be done with a right goal in mind
4.) ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up.” -1 Thessalonians 5:11
This is one of the major ways to manifest your love to your brethren; and the best way to encourage each other is by SERVING ONE ANOTHER THROUGH LOVE. (Galatians 5:13). This can be expressed through:
- Fellowship Gatherings and Small Group Gatherings (Hebrews 10:24-25)
- Word of Exhortations (v. 25)
- By stirring up love and good works (v. 24)
At the end of it all, our human nature makes limited. A part of our human nature is the imperfection of each individual. The cause of the divide between people is the focus we give on the human imperfections. Being united in love encourages us to seek for peaceful resolutions amidst clashes. And it is in this love that we can look beyond the imperfections of people and instead focus on our perfect Savior and Lord.
