One of the earmarks of true Christianity is the love that believers have for one another. Shortly before his passion, the Lord instructed his disciples “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:34-35).
The Apostle John testified to the origin of this love. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God” (I John 4:7). He went on to relate the resulting operation of that love among those born into the family of God through faith in Christ. “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him” (I John 5:1).
This love among the saints of God permeates the New Testament. Paul commended the believers in Ephesus as well as Colossae for “their love unto all the saints” (Ephesians 1:15 and Colossians 1:4). He commended the love of the Philippians and challenged the Corinthian believers to follow their example (2 Corinthians 8:1-7). Many other examples and exhortations to this practice are found throughout the letters to the churches and the general epistles.
But what did the Lord have in mind when he commanded us to love one another? Caring for the sick and helping those in need among the family of God readily comes to mind and certainly has its place in this command. But loving one another goes beyond these transient, earthly circumstances. Ministering along spiritual and eternal lines must be prominent in order for our love to be “as I have loved you”. Christ gave himself upon the cross to provide for the forgiveness of sins, to grant us eternal life, and to transform us into his glorious image through a dynamic walk with him. Surely, our love for one another must extend itself to these matters.
We demonstrate our love for one another through three practices of the local church which readily come to mind. The first of these is the exercise of our spiritual gifts in the body of Christ. God has given these to us through his Spirit for the building up of his body. “But the manifestation of the Spirit [spiritual gift or gifts] is given to every man to profit withal” (I Corinthians 12:7). Every believer is given at least one gift to be used for the edification of other Christians.
A second practice has to do with church discipline, separating from disobedient brethren for the sake of the body. A true exercise of love, this practice (almost non-existent in today’s churches) aims at bringing an erring brother or sister back into a harmonious walk with the Lord. Paul wrote “if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother” (2 Thessalonians 3:14-15).
Finally, the privilege of all believers is to pray for one another. Paul urged the Galatian believers “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). The law of Christ is the law of love and we are to help other believers in their walk with God by bringing them before the throne of grace.
How do you exercise your care for the spiritual welfare of your brothers and sisters in Christ?
From the Chaplain 