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January - February 1999 The Sabbath Sentinel
How to Love One Another in Our Assemblies
Calvin Lashway
In the New Testament there are at least thirteen
references to the fact that Christians should love
one another (John 13:34-35; 15:12,17; Romans 13:8; 1
Thessalonians 4:9; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:11,23; 1 John
4:7, 11, 12; 2 John 1:5). In what is probably the most
famous of these references, Jesus says:
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one
another, even as I have loved you, that you also love
one another. By this all men will know that you are My
disciples, if you have love for one another" (John
13:34-35). (All scriptures quoted are from the New
American Standard Bible, unless otherwise stated.)
The Sign that Identifies Jesus' Disciples
This love for one another actually becomes a sign that
identifies Jesus' disciples. If someone were to visit
our assembly on the Sabbath, would they see our love for
one another? Would they see a gathering of the
disciples of Christ? How are we to love one another when
we assembly with other Christians? Paul answers this in
1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
"Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love
does not brag and is not arrogant
" in verse 4
shows us the following:
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We need to be patient with the shortcomings and
irritating personalities of fellow Christians.
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A gathering of brethren provides us with an
opportunity to be kind.
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We must not be jealous of another person's
responsibilities or gifts.
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Every disciple should cease bragging to others about
his responsibilities or gifts.
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Not to be arrogant about our own spiritual gifts or
knowledge.
"[Love] does not act unbecomingly ["rude," New King
James Version]; it does not seek its own, is not
provoked, does not take into account a wrong
suffered . . ." in verse 5 instructs us
to:
-
Be polite to each other and don't act rudely during a
fellowship meeting.
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Seek to give to others, not seeking for others to give
to us.
-
Be patient with each other and don't get easily
provoked or upset over something said or done. We must
avoid keeping track of the wrongs done to us by
brethren, living the principle of forgiveness
explained in Matthew 18:21-35.
"[Love] does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but
rejoices with the truth . . ." in verse 6
shows us to:
-
Not to be happy or joyful about the evils befalling
others, even when they bring it on themselves.
-
Express joy over what is true. We can do this in
prayer, songs and in conversation with others.
"[Love] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all
things, endures all things," in verse 7 tells us to:
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Put up with each other, and be patient with the
shortcomings and faults of our brethren. Don't be
suspicious, doubtful, and mistrustful of the motives
and actions of others in the fellowship.
-
Take a positive approach to what others are doing and
saying -- always hoping for the best. Sometimes we
just have to put up with someone who is very
irritating.
"Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy,
they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will
cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away."
This final verse 8, says that:
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We should never abandon or give up on a fellow member
of our assembly. Even if that person has to be
disciplined, and asked to stay away from our
gatherings.
By applying the principles of 1 Corinthians 13 in our
assemblies, every person who visit with us will know
that we are Jesus' disciples, because they will see the
love we have for one another.
Calvin Lashway lives in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where he
meets with an independent home fellowship group. He can
be reached at rlashway@nmsu.edu.
TSS
January - February 1999 The Sabbath Sentinel
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