Jesus tells us something very important in John 13: 34-35. He says, 34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Are we His disciples? Do we love others in the body of Christ in the same way He loves us? Does our conduct towards each other show the world that Jesus Christ is the way to eternal life?
In these scriptures Jesus was talking to His disciples about themselves. He knew that there would be times ahead when they would not agree on every issue. He knew that there would be times when they would be tested and He wanted them to know how to react and respond when the time came. It was important for them to show the world that in spite of their differences they were united with the same cause.
If we are to be His disciples we must love one another. We must feel affection for and be fond of each other. We must not harbor any bitterness or unforgiveness. We must not point the finger of disgrace at those who do not agree with us.
We must also pray for one another when we think that someone is teaching or being led away with false doctrines and ask our Father to help them. We must also ask Him to assist us in understanding all matters so that we will also have the complete truth within us.
These are the actions that are required for those who truly love Jesus!
As Christians we must show the world that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is real and that there is a future with Him!
Jesus loved and kissed Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him for thirty pieces of silver. He also loved Peter who gave Him many trying moments and denied Him three times. He loved His other disciples who continually misunderstood Him. He did not leave them or send them away when they were wrong. Most of them left Him at Calvary and He asked our Father to forgive them because they were blind.
Jesus loved the tax collector who He broke bread with. He loved the Samaritan woman who He spoke to at the well. He loved the woman who was found in adultery and saved her from eminent death by allowing her accusers to realize that they too were just as guilty. He spent most of His ministry amongst those who were in the world and never once did He stop caring about others.
Jesus loves us while we are still yet in sin and He is continually there to receive us as long as we receive others.
There are none of us who are without sin. We all fall short of the Glory of God every day and it is important for us to look to others with the same compassion that Jesus has for us. If we expect mercy and forgiveness we must show mercy and forgiveness towards others.
Doctrinal differences are commonplace amongst the Christian Churches throughout the world. They have become more important than the message that was given to us from our Father. They have become more important than the love we were commanded to give to others.
We must put these differences aside and in their proper place if we are to show that we are united in representing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with the love that sets us apart from all other faiths.
Our Father does not jerk us up to His level of understanding and tell us that this is where we should be. He gently teaches us the truth, day by day, through His Holy Spirit and encourages us as we accept and practice His principles.
As Christians we have all been Justified by the blood of Jesus Christ.
We are now in the process of being Sanctified, changed day by day, more into His image and likeness.
Hopefully some of us will become Glorified in unconditional love becoming perfect as our Father is perfect by loving our enemies, those who are our opponents, our adversaries with the hope that some of them will become our allies and friends.
It is impossible for any of us to change the understanding of another. The truth of a matter can only be given to us from our Father, through His Holy Spirit, and in His timing.
It is sad to see the conflicts that occur when we try to convince others that our way of presenting the truth is the only way in which to receive eternal life.
We are all on a journey to fully understand the teachings that our Father gave to us through His Son Jesus Christ!
We are not all at the same level of understanding at the same time. We must have consideration and patience for and with each other and not judgment!
We must show the world that there is room for others in the body of Christ. There are those who need to be loved and helped along the way no different than when we first were allowed to come to Him.
It is time for us to leave self-righteousness behind and cling to the things that we have in common.
Jesus is our shepherd and He is building His church. Let us become one with Him and do it His way!
Let's stop and think about what we are doing to each other and contemplate the true meaning of to "LOVE ONE ANOTHER"!
Are we His disciples? Do we love others in the body of Christ in the same way He loves us? Does our conduct towards each other show the world that Jesus Christ is the way to eternal life?
In these scriptures Jesus was talking to His disciples about themselves. He knew that there would be times ahead when they would not agree on every issue. He knew that there would be times when they would be tested and He wanted them to know how to react and respond when the time came. It was important for them to show the world that in spite of their differences they were united with the same cause.
If we are to be His disciples we must love one another. We must feel affection for and be fond of each other. We must not harbor any bitterness or unforgiveness. We must not point the finger of disgrace at those who do not agree with us.
We must also pray for one another when we think that someone is teaching or being led away with false doctrines and ask our Father to help them. We must also ask Him to assist us in understanding all matters so that we will also have the complete truth within us.
These are the actions that are required for those who truly love Jesus!
As Christians we must show the world that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is real and that there is a future with Him!
Jesus loved and kissed Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him for thirty pieces of silver. He also loved Peter who gave Him many trying moments and denied Him three times. He loved His other disciples who continually misunderstood Him. He did not leave them or send them away when they were wrong. Most of them left Him at Calvary and He asked our Father to forgive them because they were blind.
Jesus loved the tax collector who He broke bread with. He loved the Samaritan woman who He spoke to at the well. He loved the woman who was found in adultery and saved her from eminent death by allowing her accusers to realize that they too were just as guilty. He spent most of His ministry amongst those who were in the world and never once did He stop caring about others.
Jesus loves us while we are still yet in sin and He is continually there to receive us as long as we receive others.
There are none of us who are without sin. We all fall short of the Glory of God every day and it is important for us to look to others with the same compassion that Jesus has for us. If we expect mercy and forgiveness we must show mercy and forgiveness towards others.
Doctrinal differences are commonplace amongst the Christian Churches throughout the world. They have become more important than the message that was given to us from our Father. They have become more important than the love we were commanded to give to others.
We must put these differences aside and in their proper place if we are to show that we are united in representing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with the love that sets us apart from all other faiths.
Our Father does not jerk us up to His level of understanding and tell us that this is where we should be. He gently teaches us the truth, day by day, through His Holy Spirit and encourages us as we accept and practice His principles.
As Christians we have all been Justified by the blood of Jesus Christ.
We are now in the process of being Sanctified, changed day by day, more into His image and likeness.
Hopefully some of us will become Glorified in unconditional love becoming perfect as our Father is perfect by loving our enemies, those who are our opponents, our adversaries with the hope that some of them will become our allies and friends.
It is impossible for any of us to change the understanding of another. The truth of a matter can only be given to us from our Father, through His Holy Spirit, and in His timing.
It is sad to see the conflicts that occur when we try to convince others that our way of presenting the truth is the only way in which to receive eternal life.
We are all on a journey to fully understand the teachings that our Father gave to us through His Son Jesus Christ!
We are not all at the same level of understanding at the same time. We must have consideration and patience for and with each other and not judgment!
We must show the world that there is room for others in the body of Christ. There are those who need to be loved and helped along the way no different than when we first were allowed to come to Him.
It is time for us to leave self-righteousness behind and cling to the things that we have in common.
Jesus is our shepherd and He is building His church. Let us become one with Him and do it His way!
Let's stop and think about what we are doing to each other and contemplate the true meaning of to "LOVE ONE ANOTHER"!
