Love One Another

I John 3:14We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

I spend a lot of time online in various groups and pages that discuss the bible and issues of the day.  As you can imagine, there are certain hot button issues that tend to bubble to the forefront.  What amazes me about many of these groups is not the stand against sinful practices in the world, no; it is the stand that Christians take against one another that I find so amazing.  Some of the most hateful vitriol I find among Christians is in the critique of other Christians.

John 13:35

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

I have to wonder what people outside the faith must think of all of this when they look on.  Certainly it is not an example that people would want to follow, and a poor representation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Even unbelievers know that Christianity is supposed to be about love.  They see us fighting amongst ourselves and it tells others that God either isn’t real, or isn’t worthy of following for who would want to be filled with all that hate for others?

Romans 12:10

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

I would exhort every Christian to check themselves to see if they are acting in the loving manner that our Lord calls us to.  Pray and ask the Lord to search your heart to see if your ways are pure.  Remember that we should not let the sun go down on our anger (eph 4:26).  Before stepping away from that computer mad at your brother or sister in Christ, make amends in some way.  When we carry away that anger, it will grow to bitterness.  Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; (Hebrews 12:15)  For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.  Let us walk in that peace together, unified, understanding that each of us has our own roles.

1 Corinthians 1:10

Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.