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LOVE
DEMONSTRATED Introduction:
This whole chapter
is a plea for believers to live lives that are pleasing to the Lord.
VV.1-2 are about The Believer.
We are to consider our own life and get it where it really needs to be.
VV.3-8 are about The Body. They
have to do with our place in the whole body of Christ. VV.9-21 are about
The Brethren. These verses are filled with challenges for the children
of God to live together as a God-honoring family. There are three basic
thoughts in view here as we consider Love Demonstrated to others. I. OUR ACTIONS (VV.9-15) A.
Our
Social Actions - (These
make us a pleasure to live with.) · Be Honest (v.9a) “Dissimulation” = hypocrisy. We are to love the brethren with an honest love that knows no pretense. It is to be genuine like that of our Savior for us! · Be Honorable (v.10a) “Brotherly love” = fraternal affection. Again, we are to love one another with an honorable faithful devotion. The kind of love referred to here is that which can only be found in the closest of families. Since we are family, we should love one another as family! · Be Humble (v.10b) Here, we
are commanded to put others ahead of our own self. It is shameful what
some people will do to get their own way in a matter. God's way is that we
seek our brother's best in every situation. God will look after us, Matt.
6:33 (seek ye first…) · Be Hard-working (v.11a) In our dealings with others, we are not
to be slow or lazy. Paul is speaking of our duty to our business
associates, but this command transcends all of life. We are to be diligent
in whatever work our hand finds to do, whether secular or spiritual, (Eccl
9:10) "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there
is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave,
whither thou goest." We are not to be procrastinators, but we are
to be busily engaged in our work. By the way, this word carries the idea
of someone being hard to deal with. We should be a pleasure to work with! · Be Helpful (v.13a) The idea of this phrase is that we are to
enter into the burdens of our fellow believers. We are to help them as
their needs arise. This is the command of (Gal 6:2) "Bear
ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." · Be Hospitable (v.13b) Instead
of building walls between us and others, we are to reach out as true
friends do. The idea is that of being available to the family of God. · Be Kind-Hearted (v.14) Regardless
of what another throws at us as we pass through this life, our reaction
should always be that of tolerance. Let us never enter into a mud slinging
contest with anyone. The command here is to be pleasant and kind to
others, regardless of what they may do to us! · Be Compassionate (v.15) Since we are all members of the same
body, v. 5, we should have a compassion for our fellow believer that
causes us to hurt when he hurts and to rejoice when he rejoices. (Illus:
You will notice that these things are ways the church can demonstrate
Christ-like love one for another. It is a way to glorify Jesus in the
church and before the world. (John 13:35) "By
this shall all men know
that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." B.
Our
Spiritual Actions -
(These equip us to be a blessing.) · Be Holy (v.9b) In our personal walk before the Lord, we
are to hate the evil and be glued to that which is right. Let us be
careful how we conduct ourselves. The Lord's desire is that we be a holy
people, (1 Pet · Be Excited (v.11b) The word fervent means to be "boiling and bubbling." It carries the idea of the bubbling sound water makes when it is boiled. The idea is that we are to be making some excited noise for the glory of God. This world is looking for something that is real. · Be Faithful (v.11c) The word
serving means "to be in the position of a servant and to act
accordingly." We were bought with a price (1 Cor.6:19-20). We belong
to Jesus and are to be His faithful servants. When the Lord looks at our
lives, He should find us actively engaged in faithfully doing His will
from our hearts. · Be Happy (v.12a) The
believer should be the happiest person on the face of the earth! Why?
Because of our hope! It's no wonder some believers are so mean and
cantankerous, they have simply forgotten what God has done for them. · Be Hopeful (v.12b) The idea
here is that we are to be steadfast under the pressures of life. We are
not to allow the things that arise in life drive us away from the Lord.
The saint is to keep his eyes on Jesus, knowing that the Lord is working
out His will everyday and that He is seeking the best for His people all
the time (Rom.8:28). · Be Prayerful (v.12c) As saints we are to be involved in a
prayer life that is vibrant and consistent. Prayer is the life line of the
believer, and too often it is neglected. Let us never forget that God will
bless the praying person and the praying church, (James II. OUR ATTITUDES
(VV.16-17) A. Walk As A Family (v.16a) We are
to operate as a family, with each member feeling the hurts and afflictions
of another. We are never to allow ourselves to become aloof and
disconnected from our Christian family. This is a plea for humility, unity
and compassion among the members of God's family. B. Walk In Fellowship (v.16b) None in
this family of faith should feel that they are better than another. We are
saved by the same blood and headed to the same heaven... There is no one
in this room that has the right to think that they are better than anyone
else, Phil. 2:4. C. Walk In Forgiveness (v.17a) According
to Jesus, there will be times when we become offended by the words or
deeds of another. When they do we are not to respond by seeking to get
even with the offending party. Instead, we are commanded to practice
forgiveness one toward another, Luke 17:1-4; Eph. D. Walk In Faithfulness (v.17b) We are
called upon to be faithful in the sight of all men by living the kind of
life that brings glory to the Lord. The life we live should be a thing of
beauty to those who observe it and to the Lord, Who also sees every move
we make. Nothing is more God honoring and beautiful than a faithful life! III. OUR AFFECTIONS
(VV.18-21) A. Be Peaceful (v.18) We are
commanded to see that there is peace in the family of God. Notice that God
says that each person is responsible for their own actions in this matter.
You are to take the lead in seeing there is peace and harmony in God's
family. The idea is that if each believer will do his or her part, there
will be no place for trouble and disunity in God's House! B. Be Patient (v.19) We are
not to take matters into our own hands. When we have been offended and our
brother refuses to make it right with us, then we are to leave the matter
in the hand of God. It is not our place to get revenge. It is our place to
love them and to leave them in the hand of God. The Lord saw everything
that happened and He will see that the record is set straight, whatever it
takes! C. Be Positive (v.20) Since
the Lord will deal with fault, we are to take the lead in being a friend
to our enemy. The Lord would have us to reach out to them in love and
humility. That is godliness in action! That is Christ living in us for the
glory of God. That is also something against which your enemy cannot
compete. He will have an answer for your arguments, but he will have none
for your love! D. Be Pleasant (v.21) Don't be
the kind of person who is always looking for something to be upset about.
There are people like that! Be a pleasant person by being Christ-like in
every situation. You have no control over how you are treated by others,
but you have absolute control over how you respond to them. You have
absolute control over how you treat your fellow believers. Be pleasant and
the Lord will bless your life! Conclusion:
Well,
how do you look when you are laid alongside the word of God in this
chapter? Is there room for improvement in you walk with your fellow
believer? If so, there is no better time than no to make the necessary
adjustments in your life so that you will be everything the Lord saved you
to be. I personally don't think there is anything in the world harder than
living with other people. They never do just like you want them to! But,
since I can't control them, I am left with nothing to do to control
myself. Let us be honest about our own lives this today. If there are
matters that need to be adjusted, come to the Father and He will see that
they get straightened out for you! |