Love One Another

Love one another. 

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, 

if you have love for one another.

John 13:34-35

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Love fellow Christians by being patient. Be patient with those new Christians who are still learning, still growing into their faith. Be patient with the old Christians who rattle off theological terminology, names of preachers and Christian writers. Be patient with the Christian who is struggling and doesn't always act Christ-like. Be patient with the Christian who acts so devout, so perfect all the time. Be patient with the Christian who disagrees with you. Be patient with the Christian who isn't loving you.

Love by keeping no record of wrongs. As God remembers our sins no more, so we are called to forget the wrongs commited against us. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Col 3:13)

Love by being humble and honoring others. This fellow Christian is a soul that Jesus has redeemed, that the Spirit is living in. This Christian is being restored to God's image and is held in God's hands. God loves and delights in this Christian! God dwells in them and will use them to speak his truth. This Christian is God's child; humbly serve and honor them. (Gal 5:13)

Love by not seeking your own interest. Don't seek out the Christians you think you will get along with easily. Don't love only the Christians that seem fun to be around. Love, not because it will benefit you; love solely because they are God's dear child. Love the awkward, unlovable Christian. Love the Christian who doesn't seem to need more friends. Love in the middle of a busy week; love on a weekend during your time off. Seek out the interests and needs of others and care for them.

Love by rejoicing in truth. What is on your lips as you talk with your Christian friends? Is your mouth full of complaints about the pastor's sermon and that hymn you didn't like? Do you dwell on everything that went wrong that week? Do you repeat all the awful stories and biting words you heard? Does your tongue easily turn toward speaking ill of the people God has placed in your life? Keep your tongue from evil and rejoice in truth. Rejoice that God has placed you in a church to hear his word and sing his praise. Rejoice that you have a family in Christ to love. Rejoice that your cup runneth over with blessings. Rejoice that this earth is not home and a heavenly country awaits you. Encourage one another with these truths. (Ps 34:13, Ps 23:5)

If we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

(1 John 4:12)