Romans 12:5, 9, "so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another...Let love be without hypocrisy."
God commands us to love one another. "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." John 13:34. "And above all things have fervent love for one another..." 1 Peter 4:8.
One of the aspects of body unity is being real. Our love for others is not put on, contrived, or hypocritical. Rather it is the love of Christ flowing FROM us as we overflow with His love FOR us. By faith, we can reach out and love one another. Love is an act of our will. Taking a quick look at 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." Every aspect of Biblical love is active, practical and real. Nowhere does it connect loving others with feelings of love. Love may require we act contrary to our emotions.
Unity requires loving others, in faith, by the power the Holy Spirit despite how we feel.
My challenge for you is, as far as it is up to you, put on unity and put off division for the Name and Glory of Christ.
Diane
No comments:
Post a Comment