Love One Another (2)

Introduction

Love Is Commanded

God commands us to love Him and one another - 1 John 4:21

Love for one another is the proof that we love God - 1 John 4:20

Love for one another is the proof that we are children of God - 1 John 4:7

Just because love is a command that we are expected to obey, does not make it any less “lovely.”

God has not given us a command that He Himself is not willing to do.

God is love - 1 John 4:8

God manifested His love through the sending of Jesus to die for the sins of the world - 1 John 4:9

Jesus loved His disciples - John 13:34; 15:12

God has demonstrated this command and Jesus lived it!

What would hinder us from loving others the way that God and Christ loved people?

Love Must Be Perfected

The apostle John speaks about a love that strives for perfection — or completion. There is a goal and a purpose that our love is seeking to help us achieve - 1 John 4:12, 17-18

God is love - cf. 1 John 4:8

We are to love in the same way that God loves!

Jesus taught that when we love our enemies and those who treat us badly, we are loving the way God loves - Matt. 5:43-48

This is perfect love.

When we have perfected love, it gives us confidence for the day of judgment - 1 John 4:17-18

Love must be perfected

Perfect love casts out fear

Fear leads to punishment

But for those born of God, there is hope of a good reward!

Love Is Action

Since love for one another is the evidence that we have been born of God and that we have spiritual life, hypocrisy and being disingenuous have no place in our life!

One of the biggest problems in regard to love for others is that many times love is only in our words.

Words are easily said, but require no follow through.

Actions require diligence, work, commitment, and follow through.

The apostle John shows that love for one another is the evidence of spiritual life - 1 John 3:13-16

Hatred and hypocrisy are contrary to how God expects us to live - 1 John 3:15

Jesus shows us how we are to love others, that is, through our sacrificial acts of love and service for others - 1 John 3:16

We may see someone who needs help but observation is not enough - 1 John 3:17-18

When we act in deeds and truth, our hearts are secured before God and approve us - 1 John 3:19-21

Love expresses itself through putting others first, helping them when they need it, and going beyond words!

Love demands actions

Love Corrects Wrongdoing

A fervent and zealous love for our brothers and sisters in Christ leads us to extend forgiveness to each other when we sin - 1 Peter 4:8; cf. Col. 3:12-13

However, to truly offer forgiveness to those who need it, those who are in sin must repent, confess, pray, and seek God’s mercy and forgiveness.

“Love covers a multitude of sins” does not mean we passively sit back and ignore people’s sins.

“Love covers a multitude of sins’ means that we actively bring people back to the Lord! - James 5:19-20

Confess to one another; stand beside your brother or sister who is in error - James 5:16

Pray with one another - James 5:16-18

Turn (active verb) sinners from their sins - James 5:20

You cannot force someone to repent, but you can teach them, confront them, and pray with them!