LOVE
When we see the reality and standard of true brotherly love,
it should put us all to shame as we consider how pitiful our love really is to
one another. But it should also do more for us. First, it should make us ever
thankful that our salvation is not conditioned on our love to God or to one
another but on His love for us in Christ - "Herein
is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his son to be the
propitiation for our sins" (I John 4:10).
Secondly, it should make each of us strive to love each other
more because of God's love to us. None of us deserve God's love. Therefore, our
love to one another should not be based on what we deserve. God's love is
expressed in His continual forgiveness of our sins. Therefore, our love for one
another should be based in continual forgiveness of each other. Consider I
Corinthians 13:7, which says, "Love
beareth all things, believeth all things, endureth all things".
Love bears all things for the glory of God and the good of the church. Love
believes all things that honor Christ and promote the salvation of sinners and
the edification of the church. Love endures all things for the cause of Christ
and His Gospel.
Pastor Bill Parker