One Another

1 Corinthians 1:4-5

I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

As Christians, how should we see one another?

1 John 3:11
For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

WE are to honor one another. Serve one another. Encourage one another. Believe one another. Forgive one another.

Trusting God, that HE is at work in those called by His name. That God is able to change the hearts of His children.

1 John 4:12

No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

When we look upon a brother or sister in the Lord, we are looking at a Holy Temple. A temple where God dwells.

Beware of those who are not Christian but call themselves Christian. You will know them by their fruit. But be careful not to cut off one who is weak, or immature.

Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom. But Love one another.

What's Love got to do with it?

1 John 3:11
For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.

1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

Sounds simple enough. How do we love one another?

John 15:12
This is my (Jesus) commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

So in the manner that Jesus loves us, we are to love one another.

Hmmm, Not so easy. After all, I am not Jesus -- But doesn't God live in us?

1 John 4:16
And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Why then is it so hard to love others? One answer is fear. If I give what I have, I will be in lack. If I open up myself and let others know I care, I might get hurt. If I take time out of my day to meet the needs of others, how will my needs be met?

Fear controls us. Fear says there is something greater than God. Fear shows our eyes have drifted from the Lord to the problem.

1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Walk in perfect Love. Knowing that the Lord first loved you. That He dwells in you and desires that you love others as He has loved you.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NASB)

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, ⁵ does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, ⁶ does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

In Christ, we can do this.

Love One Another

John 15:17
These things I command you, that ye love one another.

Romans 12:10
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

Sounds simple enough. But boy, that is one hard thing to do in the flesh. Even our very own families can try the best of us.

So how can we love one another?

Look at others through the eyes of Jesus. Honor others, thinking not of yourself but of them and their needs.

Basically - have the mind of Christ.

How can we do this? By knowing that our heavenly Father loves us. Loves us completely. When we understand this, we no longer have to scramble for our needs and desires. We no longer have to put others down in order for us to feel valued.

When you understand the God of the universe loves you nothing else really mattes.

Walk in the knowledge that the Father loves you. Walk in the Spirit sharing that love with others.