“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” -John 5:12
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. – 1 John 4:32
You shall love your neighbor as yourself – Mat 22:29
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to
those who are of the household of faith. – Gal 6:10
These scriptures tell us that we should be living out our faith by loving one another. Below are some practical to put this into action:
Serve Others
Serving is when we are thinking of others and doing something for their primary benefit. Some examples of service are: praying for others, volunteering, calling, sending cards, and hospitality. Pray that God will bring to your mind ways you can serve others.
“… serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Gal 5:13-14)
Show Compassion to Others
Compassion means “to suffer together”. When you learn of others sufferings compassion gives you the desire to want to relieve their suffering. We can exhibit compassion when we we speak with kindness, listen without judgment, encourage others, and offer to help them.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Eph. 4:32)
Encourage Others
To encourage someone is to inspire them with “courage”, or hope. We encourage others in our words, prayers, listening, reaching out to them, and offering to help them.
“So encourage each other to build each other up, just as you are already doing.”(1 Thes 5:11)
We were created in the image of God. God demonstrated His own love for us when He gave His own son to die for our sins. God is love and John 13:34-35 says…. “by this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:34-35)
Apart from God we are not capable of loving like Him. The fruits of the Holy Spirit, which include “love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness…” (Gal 5:18-23) are what give us the ability to love others. God gives each of us different gives and talents and we can use these to serve and love others.
May you be encouraged to find ways to love others in your words and deeds.
Song: Love One Another
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