Category: Love
Subject: Love
Mining the Scriptures: 1 John 2:7-8
The idea of walking in Christ is the fundamental premise of the disciple. What is clearly evident is that love is the foundation of that walk. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34). This is how the would be “known” as His disciples.
John’s statement that his commandment is not a new commandment indicates that Jesus’ required it from His disciples from the very beginning. John speaks in great detail about the importance of loving one another. He is known as the “apostle of love.” Perhaps this emphasis was because it was so revelatory to him. He and James were at one time called by Jesus the “Sons of Thunder” (Mark 3:17). But John became associated most with the call to love. The command was “old”, or well established.
It was, however, “new” in the sense that Jesus’ call was revolutionary to a world in sin. Never before had “the true light” shined as it was in the hearts and lives of Jesus’ disciples.
Love for the Brethren
In 1 Thessalonians 2, the apostle Paul spoke of his great desire to come to Thessalonica to see the brethren there. But, he was unable as his efforts to visit were delayed time and again. Finally, he wrote in chapter 3:1, “Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith.”
Consider the conflict in Paul. He desired greatly to see their faces. They were his “glory and joy” (2:20). He knew of their struggles in the midst of persecution, and was concerned they might be “shaken by these afflictions” (3:3). He had to know of their faith. It would be a devastating thing if they had faltered, and his labor among them to be in vain. And so he sent Timothy to minister to them.
Paul’s love for his brethren is commendable. The fact that it consumed him to such a degree is significant. It serves as a wonderful example for each of us. “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Consider John’s words: “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:16-18).
Mining the Scriptures: 1 Timothy 1:5-7
In the fourth verse, Paul noted that “fables and endless genealogies” bring disputes and strife. They are to be avoided. In contrast, the intention of God’s commandments are to promote love. The two great commandments are to love God and love your neighbor. God has established this as a primary principle. All that is required from Him leads to these two things. A love for God and for man characterizes the true Christian. So, a keeping of the laws of God leads to love, not strife.
In order to attain the objective of love, out text indicates that our hearts must be pure. The word pure indicates a heart that is clean, free from corruption. This is especially true with regard to motivation. Also needed is a good conscience. In effect, a man who consistently does what he thinks is right, and avoids doing what he thinks is wrong. Finally, it requires a sincere faith. Faith that is genuine. These are the prerequisites of God’s law bringing about love.
Without these we are ineffective, lacking in understanding.
The Response of Faith
The apostle Peter began his second epistle with a proclamation of God’s mercy and grace. With His divine power, He “has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.” Further, “by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises.” Because of this, we “may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (1:2-4).
What a wonderful expression of God’s love. He determined to save man from Himself, and sent His Son. It is through Jesus that God has “blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:3). When we have gained so much from Him, the obvious question we should be asking is—how should we respond to His munificence? Continue reading “The Response of Faith”
“Behold what manner of love”
Love is foundational to our faith as Christians. It is the basis of all we are and all we do. This is so, because “God is love.” “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8).
In this we differ from the world. John develops this truth fully in his first epistle. “In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him” (1 John 3:10-15). Continue reading ““Behold what manner of love””
Sermon: Work to Do in the New Year
There are three important things to work on as 2023 begins. Work on your love for God and man, Your zeal in obeying God, and your Thankfulness for His great blessings.
A New Year Is Upon Us
Next Sunday we will be beginning a new year on the calendar. I know that resolutions can be made at any time, and do not need to wait until the calendar turns its page. But, this is as good a time as any to review your commitment to the Lord, and determine to better in the future. So, might I make a few suggestions…
Work on Your Love
The two great commandments, emphasized by Jesus for us as well, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31). Continue reading “A New Year Is Upon Us”
Paul’s Appeal to Philemon
It is important to learn how to get along with brethren. This is an effective skill that helps to maintain unity among God’s people. It is especially important when there is any hint of trouble—whether disagreements or other potentially challenging circumstances.
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
Paul had such a sticky wicket to deal with when he converted an escaped slave, and had to petition the slave’s owner for mercy. Fortunately, the slave owner was himself a Christian, and so there was common ground that could help in resolving the potential conflict.
Lessons from a Millstone
We speak of God’s word as sublime. In this we acknowledge both that the word of God is understandable, and that it is unfathomably deep and productive as we study it each day. The simplest of babes can derive from it the “words of eternal life” (John 6:68), and yet the ablest of students can spend a lifetime of learning from it each day.
Lessons can be learned from unexpected places. For example, we can learn much from the Bible’s reference to the millstone. The millstone was extremely important in ancient times. To turn grain into flour, the grain would be crushed into powder between two heavy stones. Smaller versions of such stones were found in the homes of the people. Larger stones were fashioned in ancient societies to increase production. Regardless, as the Bible refers to such millstones, there are three thoughts to keep in mind. First, they were necessities. Second, they were hard. Third, they were heavy. With this in mind, consider the following truths:
How Great is Your Concern?
Anyone who has read the letters of Paul know that he was a passionate man. He was open in expressing anger, sorrow, joy and concern. One example of this is an expression of concern for the Christians in Thessalonica. Note his words:
“Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this… (5) For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain” (1 Thessalonians 3:1-3, 5).
So, twice in five verses, Paul expressed the degree of his concern for those in Thessalonica, “when I could no longer endure it…” They were suffering affliction and tribulation. While it would be understandable to worry about them physically, Paul (as seen in verse 5) was concerned about their spiritual welfare.
A simple question occurs. How intensely do you care for the spiritual welfare of your brethren? Has there been a time when you could endure silence or inaction no longer? A time when you were compelled to speak or act? This is the test of love. “Love the brotherhood”! (1 Peter 2:17).
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Our Condescending God
The word condescend is an interesting one. We tend to bristle when someone speaks in a condescending tone toward us. It is a sign to us that they think they are better, stronger, smarter, wiser than us. It seems to indicate arrogance, and we find it unseemly.
The word condescend is defined by Webster: 1) to assume an air of superiority. 2a) to descend to a less formal or dignified level. 2b) to waive the privileges of rank.
While the word does hold negative connotations, such is not necessary. Consider the reality that God is truly superior. If He condescends to His creation, it is not a negative thing. It is an indication of His love and concern for us.
The Psalmist recognized this. “From the rising of the sun to its going down, the Lord’s name is to be praised. The Lord is high above all nations, His glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwells on high, Who humbles Himself to behold the things that are in the heavens and in the earth?” (Psalm 113:3-6).
God condescended to send His Son to earth to benefit mankind. His Son condescended to come, “taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:7-8).
God came down to our level, to lift us up to His. “Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and forevermore!” (Psalm 113:2).
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Reasons for Thanksgiving
In Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians, he began by expressing thanksgiving for them. Why was he thankful?
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Because it was fitting (3). In other words, there was a legitimate reason for his joy. Its origin was their conduct in Christ, which he lists in verses 3-4.
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Because their faith was growing exceedingly (3). These Christians hadn’t stalled in their faith as others did and can do today (Hebrews 5:12—6:6). Through diligence and effort, they were making progress, and growing stronger spiritually.
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Because their love for each other was abundant (3). John considered this the primary characteristic identifying the people of God (1 John 4:7-11). The Thessalonians were wonderful examples of the proper response to God’s love. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
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Because they were strong in faith and patience in the midst of tribulation and persecution (10). It is one thing to be strong when the going is easy. It is a true reason to rejoice when faithfulness is seen despite the devil’s attempt to destroy it. The zeal of the Thessalonians was truly praiseworthy.
So, a natural question to ask… Is our congregation one that Paul would “thank God always for”? Are we growing in faith? Abounding in Love? Remaining steadfast despite trials? It is important to be counted “worthy of this calling” (11).
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Sermon: Knowledge VS Love
Knowledge can bring arrogance, if it is not tempered by the love of a Christian. Though knowledge is good, love must be present too, in order to please God.
