How Well Do You Love?

Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. —Romans 13:10 ESV

When we observe the Church, there has always been some sort of problem, confusion and turmoil. As mentioned last week (in Stay Connected), it’s not surprising because the Church is made up of imperfect people. And anywhere there are people—the workplace, community, school and so on—there will always be some sort of conflict, disagreement or clash of behaviours.

The early church was no stranger to these difficulties, and we see the very first conflict in the book of Acts.

“Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution…Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.” Acts 6:1, 3 (ESV)

As we can see, there was a problem and the apostles did their best to address it immediately. They didn’t try to ignore or sweep it under the carpet. Ignoring issues is what makes problems fester and makes situations worse in any organisation.

Throughout the New Testament, various kinds of issues in the different churches brought disagreements, fights, contentions, and church splits. These issues included ethnicity, race, leadership, finances, religion, and doctrine. Below are some of the advice given to some of the churches to foster love and community cohesion.

“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.” Romans 12:16 (ESV)

 “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV)

“Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Colossians 3:13 (ESV)

 “See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.” 1 Thessalonians 5:15 (ESV)

“But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.” Titus 3:9 (ESV)

In the above passages, they repeatedly advise on how we ought to behave and deal with each other and we can only do all these successfully if we love each other as Christ loved us.

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 (ESV)

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 (ESV)

So, how well are you doing at loving others?

Stay blessed,

LaraLex