Love One Another – I Corinthians 1:10

Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.

Love – we can reach no higher, strive for nothing dearer, nor live for anything more worthwhile. Love is the keystone of Jesus’ teaching, for He tells us of its value, instructing us that loving others is second only to loving God.[1] He exhorts us to exercise it without reserve, to love with our whole hearts, souls, and minds, to love in spirit and in truth, to love as He has loved us, and He commands us to demonstrate our love for one another, so that by it, seekers will know that we are His disciples.[2]

Therefore, as those whose overriding ambition is to see Christ lifted up and His kingdom furthered on the earth, we are to be of the same mind, remaining steadfast in our love for our fellow travelers along the Highway of Holiness.[3] Our spirit of unity and bond of peace should be unbreakable as we encourage each other to love and good works.[4]  We are to emulate our tenderhearted Lord, accepting one another’s shortcomings and differences with loving-kindness. Our steadfast and harmonious fellowship is to be salt in an otherwise flavorless world, so the lost may believe in the grace of Jesus Christ and the transforming power of His love.[5]

Our supreme privilege, and often our greatest challenge, is heeding Christ’s admonition to avoid the biting jaws of discord, to love each other rather than bickering and complaining.  No differences should bring a rupture to our unity in Christ.  We are to participate in a reciprocal love grounded in our devotion to God, and our heart’s desire should be to walk in unconditional love just as our Lord unconditionally loves us.

Look at your relationships within the body of Christ.  Does your love for God’s people, demonstrated not merely with words, but in deeds and spirit, show those who might be watching that in Jesus Christ you have passed out of death into life, and that life in Him is worth pursuing?[6]  It should.  Let Jesus’ light shine through you unobstructed by anything that could cause your brother to stumble.[7]  Let it flow from your innermost being, and it will be like a pure river running through a dry and thirsty land.

[1] Matthew 22:37-39

[2] John 13:34-35

[3] Philippians 2:2

[4] Hebrews 10:24, Ephesians 4:3

[5] John 17:21

[6] 1 John 3:14-18

[7] 1 John 2:10