Make Your Love Increase
Dear Church,
As we bring 2020 to a close and welcome in a new year, let’s give thanks to God for his faithfulness and his unending love. Because He loved us so much, in giving us his one and only Son, we, in turn, can love others. I am so grateful to God for placing, in all of you, a heart of love that goes beyond self-interest --looking toward the interests of others. This final devotion is a list of the “one another” verses that are found throughout the New Testament, that instruct us how we are to love one another. Though the theme for 2020 has come to end, our mandate to love one another goes on forever. Let’s do as Paul prayed, “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight” (Philippians 1:9).
· (John 13:34) “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
· (Romans 15:7) Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
· (1 Corinthians 12:24b-25) But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 2
· (Ephesians 4:32) Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
· (Romans 12:10) Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
· (Romans 12:16) Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
· (1Peter 5:5) In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another,
· (Colossians 3:13) Bear with each other and if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
· (Ephesians 4:25) Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
· (James 5:16) Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
· (Romans 14:13) Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.
· (1 Peter 5:14) Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
· (Hebrews 3:13) But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.
· (Colossians 3:16) Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
· (1 Peter 4:8-9) Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
· (Galatians 5:13) You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
· (Galatians 6:2) Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
· (Hebrews 10:24-25) And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
· (John 13:14) Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.
On the one hand, we can look at those verses and give thanks to God for the loving community we’ve become; on the other hand, we should repent for how little we’ve loved. We’ve come a long way, but there’s still so much we lack and so much more loving to do. Let’s conclude with another of Paul’s love prayers. Make it your prayer, too. “May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you” (1 Thessalonians 3:12)
Happy New Year.
Soli Deo Gloria.
Pastor Peter
