A fellow student of the scripture pointed out, regarding the past Sunday’s sermon on 1 John 5:1-5, that I might have missed an important point in connecting loving others and keeping the commandments. I admit I did. Most of the commentators I read are very diligent to keep in mind that the New Testament authors are all of Jewish background and that any scriptures to which they refer must therefore be Old Testament. I fell into that and used Exodus 20 as my example of what John may have been thinking. John, however, knew Jesus and was present!
Jesus said: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
Consider these 14 instructions that the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus sent, breathed regarding how to love one another well as we seek to “love God and keep His commandments.” 1 John 5:3
#1 – PRAY FOR One Another
James 5:16 (NLT) says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
#2 – GREET One Another
1 Corinthians 16:20 (NLT) says, “All the brothers and sisters here send greetings to you. Greet each other with a sacred kiss.”
#3 – BE KINDLY AFFECTIONATE to One Another
Romans 12:10 (NLT) says, “Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”
#4 – GIVE PREFERENCE to One Another
Romans 12:10 (NKJV) says, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;”
#5 – LIVE PEACEFULLY with One Another
Romans 12:16 (NLT) says, “Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!”
#6 – ENCOURAGE One Another
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT) says, “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
#7 – ACCEPT One Another
Romans 15:7 (NLT) says, “Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.”
#8 – ADMONISH & WARN One Another
2 Thessalonians 3:15 (NLT) says, “Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.”
#9 – SERVE One Another
Galatians 5:13 (NLT) says, “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.”
#10 – BE PATIENT with One Another
1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NLT) says, “Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.”
#11 – BEAR One Another’s BURDENS
Galatians 6:2 (NLT) says, “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”
#12 – BE KIND to One Another
Ephesians 4:32 (NLT) says, “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
#13 – SUBMIT to One Another
1 Peter 5:5 (NLT) says, “In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”
#14 – BE HOSPITABLE to One Another
1 Peter 4:9 (NLT) says, “Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.”
Grace Notes 