LOVE ONE ANOTHER DEEPLY

“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.” 1 Peter 1:22

Love of one another comes from purification and obedience. We don’t automatically love one another, nor does it come naturally. The process of purification is akin to sanctification. It is a lifelong process. At the point of salvation we should see how deplorable, unlovable, and impure we are, and it should break our hearts to realize that our sin put Jesus on the cross. We should desire to stop sinning and because of our weakness and ongoing battle with our old sin nature, we should see others the way Jesus sees us. He sees us “as is” and loves us anyway. He sets the example of unconditional love. Love is not earned; it is purchased with a price through redemption. Literally we are covered with His blood and when God the Father looks on us He sees His Son’s blood and not our depravity, and loves us despite our despicability. His love for us is difficult to grasp.

We should see brothers and sisters in Christ the way God sees them, and treat them accordingly. We should treat others the way we hope and know God will treat us; with mercy, grace, and forgiveness. This is almost impossible to do all the time and in every situation. So it becomes a matter of obedience. God expects us to love one another because He loves us, like He loves us. He knows how hard that is to do. If you can’t do it because you get it, do it because He commands it. If you don’t feel it, you have to make yourself do it anyway.

Let’s try harder,
Pastor Fred

Tweet