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A Question to Ponder?
What affect has our hurry scurry world had on Christians obeying (John 15:12) "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you." (NAS95)? How do we show love for one another? A like on FB?
It is easy for our mouth to form the word “love” (Ezekiel 33:31) " for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain. (NKJV) It is not real, not sincere, (1 Peter 1:22) Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, (NKJV).
Jesus gave a new commandant in John 14:34, 15:12 that instructs us to love one another, then describing the depth of that love “as I have loved you”. (John 15:17) "These things I command you, that you love one another. (NKJV) This is a direct command from the Son of God! The New Testament writers emphasis this same thought but none as specific as in first and second John.[ 1John 3:11, 3:23,
4:7, 4:11, 4:12 and 2John 1:5]
(1 John 3:18) Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. (NAS95)—"If love consisted in word only, then love ceaseth as soon as the word is pronounced”. Yalcut Rubeni
James emphasized this point in a discussion of faith. (James 2:15-18) If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and be filled," and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, "You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works." (NAS95) This would be a case of speaking empty, wasted words that have no value—nor proof of any love for one another.
There is a real fear that our speech can become nothing but empty words if we allow our hurry scurry schedules to block our need to SHOW love for one another! There are several references in the scriptures of helping one another with physical needs, sick, thirsty, cold and hungry. These are great opportunities to help one another in times of physical need, however the greatest emphasis of demonstrating love for one another is help those in spiritual need. Every New testament writer gives instructions on this point. Let us look specifically at Rom 12:9-16, where Paul gives a roadmap [google map if you prefer] as to how to demonstrate love for one another.
(Romans 12:9) Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. (NAS95)—genuine love—if we don’t have that we are in great need
(Romans 12:10) Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; (NAS95)—the removal of selfishness is of great importance—must love our selves less and put others before us.[ not about me]
(Romans 12:11) not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; (NAS95)—Col 3:17
(Romans 12:12) rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, (NAS95)—These verses are filled with action words
(Romans 12:13) contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. (NAS95)—Love in action—more than empty words
(Romans 12:14) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (NAS95) Prayful attitude
(Romans 12:15) Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. (NAS95) Sharing both joy and sorrow, weeping with one another
(Romans 12:16) Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly.
Do not be wise in your own estimation. (NAS95) United with one another for their benefit The answer to the original question, —our to-do—list will overcome everything else unless we control it.
Warning signs –time to take a personal inventory
- Hospitality—Am I failing to welcome visitors at services, sharing joy with others?
- Unselfishness—Am I more concerned about others?
- Compassion—Am I looking for those in need?
- Evangelism—Am I seeking those who are lost?
