by David Long
In the body of Christ love is shared through fellowship. Fellowship is a joint participation, a sharing, a partnership. Fellowship is one of the great blessings of being a member of the church of Christ (1 John 1:7). We have fellowship through our "fellowship meals" or what the New Testament called "love feasts" (Jude 12). We have fellowship in helping support the gospel being preached and taught (Phil. 1:5). We have fellowship in our benevolence (2 Cor. 8:4). We have fellowship in worship (1 Cor. 10:16-17). Loving one another involves fellowship. To do any less and we won't make it to heaven.
Tuesday, January 28, 2020
Tuesday, January 21, 2020
Love tested
by David Long
Abraham's love was put to the test (Gen. 22; Heb. 11:17). Israel's love was put to the test. "And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not" (Dt. 8:2). Trials and temptations put our love for God to the test. "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (James 1:2-4). If our love fails we will never make it to heaven (Heb. 3:12; 4:1).
Abraham's love was put to the test (Gen. 22; Heb. 11:17). Israel's love was put to the test. "And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not" (Dt. 8:2). Trials and temptations put our love for God to the test. "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (James 1:2-4). If our love fails we will never make it to heaven (Heb. 3:12; 4:1).
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Love abounding
by David Long
"We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth" (2 Thess. 1:3). Both the words "groweth and aboundeth" have to do with increasing. If love isn't increasing in the Christian then there is something wrong. We can't love a little, we must love a lot. Anything less and we won't make it to heaven.
"We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth" (2 Thess. 1:3). Both the words "groweth and aboundeth" have to do with increasing. If love isn't increasing in the Christian then there is something wrong. We can't love a little, we must love a lot. Anything less and we won't make it to heaven.
Monday, January 13, 2020
Loving through
by David Long
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him" (James 1:12). Enduring trials is connected to our love for God. Trails can put a damper on one's love for God if not handled properly. We need to love God through the trial, in fact, a crown of life is promised to the Christian who does. Love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mk. 12:30-31), even in temptation. Anything less and we won't make it to heaven.
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him" (James 1:12). Enduring trials is connected to our love for God. Trails can put a damper on one's love for God if not handled properly. We need to love God through the trial, in fact, a crown of life is promised to the Christian who does. Love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mk. 12:30-31), even in temptation. Anything less and we won't make it to heaven.
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Love rescued
by David Long
A person lost in sin has lost their love for God. But Jesus said He came to seek and save that which was lost (Lk. 19:10). He came to bring salvation, to rescue us from the love of sin. The plan of salvation is how it works. We hear the word (Rom. 10:17). We believe in Jesus as the Son of God (John 8:24). We repent of our sins (Acts 17:30). We confess our faith in Christ (Acts 8:37). We are immersed in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16) and we come up out of that watery grave of baptism to walk in a new life (Rom. 6:3-4). Being added to the church of Christ (Acts 2::47), where we can worship and serve God acceptably. Love has been rescued: from the love of sin and the world to the love of God (Mk. 12:30-31). Anything less and we won't make it to heaven.
A person lost in sin has lost their love for God. But Jesus said He came to seek and save that which was lost (Lk. 19:10). He came to bring salvation, to rescue us from the love of sin. The plan of salvation is how it works. We hear the word (Rom. 10:17). We believe in Jesus as the Son of God (John 8:24). We repent of our sins (Acts 17:30). We confess our faith in Christ (Acts 8:37). We are immersed in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16) and we come up out of that watery grave of baptism to walk in a new life (Rom. 6:3-4). Being added to the church of Christ (Acts 2::47), where we can worship and serve God acceptably. Love has been rescued: from the love of sin and the world to the love of God (Mk. 12:30-31). Anything less and we won't make it to heaven.
Thursday, January 2, 2020
Love renewed
by David Long
Sin redacts love but when a person repents love is renewed and redirected. Sin derails love but repentance gets love got back on the right track. We love less when we sin. If we want to love more then sin less. "If you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15) but sin will keep us from doing that. God commands all men every where to repent (Acts 17:30). "Repent or perish" (Lk. 13:3). Stop loving the world (1 John 2:15) and start loving God (Mk. 12:30-31). Redirect your love by repenting of every false way.
Sin redacts love but when a person repents love is renewed and redirected. Sin derails love but repentance gets love got back on the right track. We love less when we sin. If we want to love more then sin less. "If you love me, keep my commandments" (John 14:15) but sin will keep us from doing that. God commands all men every where to repent (Acts 17:30). "Repent or perish" (Lk. 13:3). Stop loving the world (1 John 2:15) and start loving God (Mk. 12:30-31). Redirect your love by repenting of every false way.
Tuesday, December 31, 2019
Love confused
by David Long
To be confused is to be unclear in one's mind about something or to be in doubt. "And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God" (John 20:26-28). When love is confused or in doubt it can't be what the Lord would have it to be.
"So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17).
Don't be confused about the Lord and His word. Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength (Mk. 12:30-31). Anything less and we won't make it to heaven.
To be confused is to be unclear in one's mind about something or to be in doubt. "And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God" (John 20:26-28). When love is confused or in doubt it can't be what the Lord would have it to be.
"So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep" (John 21:15-17).
Don't be confused about the Lord and His word. Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength (Mk. 12:30-31). Anything less and we won't make it to heaven.
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