LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Psalm 133:1-3; Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20

INTRODUCTION

This year, we have been focusing on the theme, "Let Christ be Formed in You" (Galatians 4:19)

We have learned that becoming more like Christ is actually the expected outcome of the life of the Christian. This is what Christianity is all about. And so Paul writes, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13)

In brief, I would like to discuss today's themes in connection with Christ-like formation. Loving one another is a Christ-like life.

1. LOVE ONE ANOTHER - FULFILLS THE LAW

Jesus states categorically that, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." (Matt. 5:17)

The Fulfillment of the law Paul tells us, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."

2. LOVE ONE ANOTHER - REFLECT CHRIST: Our love for one another tell others who Christ Jesus is.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)

3. LOVE ONE ANOTHER - THE MARK OF GOD'S CHILDREN.

"This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.

For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another." (1 John 3:10-11)

4. LOVE ONE ANOTHER - GOD'S CHARACTER

"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love...This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (1 John 4:7-8, 10-11)

"Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister." (1 John 4:20-21)

5. LOVE ONE ANOTHER - GOD'S PRESENCE TO MANKIND.

"No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit ... And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. (1 John 4:12-13, 16-17)

6. LOVE ONE ANOTHER - KEY TO UNLOCK HEAVENLY RESPONSE.

“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” (Matt. 18:19-20)

Amos reminds us that, "Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?" (Amos 3:3)

7. LOVE ONE ANOTHER - THE FLOW OF GOD'S ANOINTING.

"How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe.

It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore." (Psalm 133)

CONCLUSION

Jesus explains;

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector."

How do you treat a brother as "a pagan or a tax collector."? This where the greatest task begins, you approach such a brother evangelistically in order to win him/her to Christ. Love in game one another is very evangelistic.

Shalom aleichem...