A body filled with love allows us to cling to what is good and not repay evil for evil. God’s Word reveals that love is honorable and forgiving, and the Holy Spirit witnesses its authenticity. Jesus said, “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you” (John 13:34, NASB). When we love each other to the point of bearing one another’s burden, we fulfill the law of Christ (Gal. 6:2). He took love for people to the ultimate level and died for them. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13, KJB).
Christians are His friends, obligated and responsible for loving each other as He commands. Instead of mouthing these cute cliches, like “I love you and ain’t nothing you can do about it.” Align yourself with the Word of God, and “Love each other with genuine affection and take delight in honoring each other” (Rom. 12:10, NLT). Continue to use those cliches if you genuinely mean what you say, but do not say something just because everyone else is saying it. Someone will recognize hypocrisy and the emptiness in your words.
We are not naïve and understand that iniquity abounds, and sometimes lies prevail. We know that the love of many waxes cold. Nevertheless, disciples of Christ must continue to labor fervently to love one another and build each other up. Disciples instructed in the Lord's Way and Truth are passionate in spirit and enthusiastically speak and teach the things of the Lord. Disciples may doubt, but they truly believe the Word of God teaches us to love and honor each other as we go forward.
“Honor all men” (1 Pet. 2:17, KJB). We cannot dwell together in unity without love. A loving person does not hurt or degrade others. “Honor all people” (1 Pet. 2:17, NKJV). We give you these interpretations to show that people will infer and put whatever spin on bible verses that suit them. Do you honor all people or just all men? As we look at the New International Version, we see “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers” (1 Pet. 2:17). This verse in the NIV seems to limit love to the family of believers. What about enemies?
We must stop using worldly definitions and spinning opinions. They stunt our growth and hinder our ability to see wisdom on the other side of knowledge. Those who are worldly do not receive spiritual things, for they are foolish to them. If you want to grow, let the things of the world go! Paul told the Thessalonians they did not need anyone to write about love because God had taught them to love one another (1 Thess. 4:9). So, we call on you to act honorably, treating others the way you want to be treated: love, honor, and forgive each other.
Minister Nettie Pennington, Associate Minister, Springfield MB Church
