Love one another
I’ve been reading in John this last week. This morning I read John ch 15. It caught my eye that Jesus repeated Himself in just a few scriptures “ love one another”. I knew that this was not the only place it said that in scripture and was curious. I Googled and it said that “love one another” is in the Bible 16 times. Now I have not read cover to cover for myself so I will assume that is correct, but even if it’s more than that… 16 times.
It’s Important
I know if something is really important for my kids to know I repeat myself over and over hoping that eventually , because I have said it enough , they will remember it. I hope my voice is stuck in their mind repeating those words over and over. We are God’s children. Wouldn’t it make sense that if He is repeating something over and over again it must be pretty important? I think so too.
While reading, I did take a little time to look up several scriptures that said “Love one another”, so maybe you could see, as I did, just how important this really is.
John 13:34-35 John 15:12-13
Romans 12:10 1 John 4:7
Romans 13:8 1 Peter 4:8
Leviticus 19:18 1 John 3:11
1 John 4:20-21 1 Peter 1:22
1 John 4:11 1 Thessalonians 4:9
1 John 15:17 2 John 1:5
I read each of those scriptures and came to the conclusion I should probably read 1 John again. I need help, and reminding that I should love others. That probably sounds awful, but I think if we were all honest, we could do a little better in that area.
Love Everyone
When it says to love one another not once did I find any little side note that said “unless they do this….” It doesn’t matter if they are not your kind of people, it doesn’t matter if they are rude, mean, smelly , annoying or even hateful. As Christians we will be known not by the big fancy ministry we had, or the specials we sang at church, or the classes we had the opportunity to teach. We will be known for how we loved others.
1 John 3:18, Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 5:43-45
***Lord thank you for this reminder, that I am to love others the way you love me. With kindness and mercy and forgiveness. I know it’s not always easy but I want what you want in my life Lord. Help me to do better and to show your characteristics in my life. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.***