What does the
church of Christ teach about the word Loving One Another?
What does the Bible say about
Loving One Another?
Love One Another
Introduction:
Clifton
Fadiman, in The Little, Brown Book of Anecdotes, tells
a story about Vladimir Nabokov, the Russian-born novelist who
achieved popular success with his novels Lolita (1955),
Pale Fire (1962), and Ada (1969). One summer in the
1940s, Nabokov and his family stayed with James Laughlin at Alta,
Utah, where Nabokov took the opportunity to enlarge his collection
of butterflies and moths. Fadiman relates: Nabokov’s fiction has
never been praised for its compassion; he was single-minded if
nothing else. One evening at dusk he returned from his day’s
excursion saying that during hot pursuit near Bear Gulch he had
heard someone groaning most piteously down by the stream. “Did you
stop?” Laughlin asked him. “No, I had to get the butterfly.”
The next day the corpse of an aged prospector was discovered in what
has been renamed, in Nabokov’s honor, Dead Man’s Gulch. While people
around us are dying, how often we chase butterflies!
Inactivity
is very dangerous! Listen to the apostle John as he warns that
someone has the desire, but takes no action. I John 3:17-18 This
type of person sees a need and says,” That is just not right.
Someone needs to do something about it.” Maybe that someone is you!
Body:
I. Love Defined
The
classic example of love is illustrated. I Corinthians
13:4-7
Love
binds or cements all virtues together. We are called to be a
blessing to other people. Colossians 3:12-14,
I Peter 3:8-12
Love
means suffering with others. Hebrews 10:32-34
II.
Love Illustrated
See a
need and fulfill it. The good Samaritan did this. Luke 10:25-37
Christ -
Look out for the interests of others. Philippians 2:1-4
The
natives of Malta showed unusual kindness to those shipwrecked
with Paul.
Acts 28:1
III. Love Contrasted
Is
hate in this passage confined to the idea of animosity,
loathing, or intense dislike? I John 2:9-11
Can
hate also mean ’indifference’ or ‘lack of concern’? We may
not dislike them, but we aren’t concerned enough to help them.
Do you
reach out to others only when it is convenient or if it doesn’t
demand too much effort?
We must
show Christ’s love any way we can. Show our love and concern
for others. Practice the Golden Rule.
Invitation:
Jesus
told His disciples this: “Love one another. As I have loved you,
so you must love one another.” John 13:34-35
The
Sermons, Bulletin Articles and Bible Studies published in this
website are from sound members of the church of Christ
and are free to everyone. We feel the price was paid when
Jesus died on the cross. Please feel free to use any
of the content found within this website for the spreading of the
Gospel to all.
Matt 11:28-29 "Come unto me, all ye that
labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek
and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your
souls."
