No.248 Love One Another

The Love of God’s Children

Love One Another

1 John 4:7-12

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us."

Starting Prayer

Lord, help me to understand the depth of Your love and how I can reflect it by loving others. Guide my heart to grasp the essence of today's message. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Background

In 1 John 4, the apostle John emphasises the centrality of love in the lives of believers. He stresses that love originates from God because God Himself is love. The selected verses highlight the inseparable connection between knowing God and expressing love toward others. John reminds believers of God's ultimate display of love through sending His Son to atone for our sins. Today's title, "Love One Another," sets the tone for this week's focus on the love of God's children and the importance of reciprocating that love to others.

Be Encouraged

Love is the defining characteristic of God's children. Just as a child reflects the traits of their parent, our love for one another reflects our relationship with God. Imagine a world where every interaction is governed by love – where kindness, forgiveness, and compassion abound. When we extend love to others, we emulate the very nature of God, who loved us first. Let us not only love those who love us in return but also extend love to those who may seem unlovable or difficult to love. For it is in these moments that our love shines brightest, mirroring the sacrificial love of Christ.

As we go about our day, let us remember that every act of love, no matter how small, has the power to transform lives and draw others closer to God. Let us seek opportunities to love unconditionally, just as Christ loves us. In doing so, we not only reflect God's love but also experience His love perfected in us.

Additional Verses

- John 13:34-35: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

- 1 Peter 4:8: "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins."

Invitation

I invite you to join us in appreciating the love of God. If you have not committed your life to Christ, you can do so by obeying the gospel of Christ through faith (Hebrews 11:6), repentance from sin (Acts 2:38; 17:30-31), and baptism for the forgiveness of all past sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38). Let us commit ourselves to loving one another as Christ loved us, thereby fulfilling His commandments and reflecting His love to the world. Come and worship with us at a local Church of Christ, where you can experience the transforming power of God's love in a supportive community.

Concluding Prayer

Lord, thank you for the reminder of Your love and the call to love one another. Help me to embody Your love in all my interactions today. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

May the Lord bless your day.

Theodore J. Quist

Evangelist

Church of Christ

Abokobi - Accra

Ghana

 

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