L O V E

[B-A-C]

Four little letters. Ironically, wars have been fought over "love". Divorces have happened over "love". Even churches have split over "love". Arguments here on TJ have happened because of "love".

We are commanded to love one another over a dozen times in the new testament.
( John 13:34-35; John 15:12; John 15:17; Rom 12:10; Rom 13:8; Eph 4:2; 1 Pet 4:8; 1 Jn 3:11; 1 Jn 4:7; 2 Jn 1:5;
Matt 5:43; Matt 19:19; Matt 22:39; Mark 12:31-33; Rom 13:9-10; Gal 5:14; Jas 2:8; etc..)
Yet there is even disagreement about this. Some say that was only for the Jews, others say it doesn't apply anymore.
Some say we "should" do it, but our salvation doesn't depend on it. Others say it does.

Jesus said....
John 13:35; "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Yet, there are many who call themselves Christians who seem to show very little love.
In Matt 7:16-20; Jesus said we will know people by their fruits. Whether they are a good tree or a bad tree.

The very first fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Gal 5:22; is love.
This is contrasted with the fruits of the flesh in Gal 5:19-21; .
Also Gal 5:15; seems to say the same thing.

So if the fruits of the flesh are ...

Gal 5:19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
Gal 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
Gal 5:21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Hmmm... I am thinking... is there any strife, disputes, arguing, or dissensions among Christians? Surely not.
Yet there are some questionable posts here on TalkJesus that might not be put in the most loving light.
It seems the fruit of the Spirit is the opposite of the fruit of the flesh.

Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

I am wondering which fruit I show most of the time? How many arguments have I gotten involved with on here?

 

[B-A-C]

It seems almost every Christian can quote the passage below.

1 Cor 13:4; Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,
1 Cor 13:5; does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered,
1 Cor 13:6; does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
1 Cor 13:7; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Cor 13:8; Love never fails; ...

Am I patient? Am I kind? Am I arrogant? Do I seek my own way? Am I easily provoked? Do I act unbecomingly? Do I hold grudges?
It seems love is "not" more things than it is.

Yet the fruit of the Spirit is love. Yet Jesus says a tree is known by it's fruit. Jesus also says You will know they are Christian by their _____ for one another.

Sometimes disagreement is necessary, sometimes rebuking and correction are necessary. But where are we spending most of our time?

 

[B-A-C]

Php 1:15; Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will;
Php 1:16; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel;
Php 1:17; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment.
Php 1:18; What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice,

Why are we here? What is our purpose here on TJ? Are we really showing love to one another? Or are we driven by selfish ambition,envy and strife?
God is not only love, but it should be at least a part of our walk that shows in our fruit.

Gal 6:1; Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
Gal 6:2; Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

Do we really bear each other burdens?

Rom 12:10; Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
Rom 12:11; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
Rom 12:12; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,
Rom 12:13; contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
Rom 12:14; Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Are we really devoted to each other? Do we bless those who are persecuting us?

Eph 4:1; Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
Eph 4:2; with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,

Do we have gentleness and patience toward others? If not, can we really say we are tree bearing good fruit? Can we really say we are showing
the fruits of the Spirit?

Php 2:3; Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
Php 2:4; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
Php 2:5; Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,

Do we regard others as more important than ourselves? Do we look out for the interests of others?

1 Thes 4:9; Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;

1 Thes 5:11; Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.

I have to say, there are many who are claiming they have the Holy Spirit in them, but yet do not show much evidence of it. What evidence are you showing others today?

 

[B-A-C]

Heb 12:14; Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord.
Heb 12:15; See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many are defiled;

Rom 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.
Rom 12:17; Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
Rom 12:18; If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.

 

[Br. Bear]

Greetings @B-A-C

I re-read this after two years and thought it was worth 'bumping it up'

Praying all is well for you and yours brother,

love and peace in Jesus name; He is Lord and King ... bless you ....><>