Be kindly affectionate
to one another
with brotherly love,
in honor giving
preference to one
another, not
lagging in diligence,
fervent in spirit,
serving the Lord;
rejoicing in hope,
patient in
tribulation, continuing
steadfastly in
prayer; distributing
to the needs of the
saints,
given to hospitality.
Romans 12:10–13
Paul is
writing under inspiration very important words for all the children of God to
apply in their lives: “brotherly love” and this to the “saints,” as this holds
the first priority. From this love towards our brothers and sisters in Jesus
Christ the world benefits. The Apostle John writes: “We know that we have
passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love
his brother abides in death” (1John 3:14). It is not enough to say we love
if that love is not exercised, if not, then one is speaking falsely: “By
this we know love, because He laid down His life fro us. And we also ought to
la down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and
sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of
God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but
in deed and in truth” (1John 3:16–18). Both Paul and John agree, Christians
are to love one another in deed and truth, and where there is need to
distribute what is needed to the needy. This implies that a person is looking
to see if there is a need, not sitting back apathetically hoping needs met. At
this time of the year, a time of celebration and the giving of gifts so often
becomes focused upon family and some friends and there is nothing wrong with
that in the first place, but in the second place this celebration makes cause
to forget there are others who will not be able to celebrate and are in need. I
am not speaking of the ungodly, I am speaking about those who worship with us
and are our brothers and sisters. So often at this time Christians spend much
money, even going to the point of buying costly things that are temporary, and overspending
making a rise in their indebtedness to some credit card company, and they do
this so that they will look good to those they are giving gifts. The greatest
gift a person can give is what God gave to His children: His Son Jesus Christ. Are
you of God? Did God give to you the Holy Spirit to indwell you? Are you
becoming sanctified, more, and more, formed into the image of Jesus Christ? Do
you profess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh? Is this what Christmas is
all about for you? I just wrote about Romans 12:1 where we are to present our
bodies a living sacrifice for God. So, how is that being exercised in your
life? For you only, or for just your family? Or, is the love of Jesus Christ
having it way with you in all you do and say? “Beloved, let us love one
another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows
God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1John 3:7–8). The
gift of God is eternal life through His Son: “In this the love of God was
manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world,
that we might live through Him” (1John 3:9). The “us” is not the world.
John is speaking to Christians and to you if you are a Christian: “Beloved,
if God so love us, we also ought to love one another” (1John 3:11). I write
this so that we do not become so consumed with the holiday that we forget that
we are not celebrating a holiday: NO! We are setting aside time to celebrate
that God came to earth and became incarnate to die for sin and that God, the
Father, applies that propitiation for sin to you who are a child of God, chosen
by Him, enabled by Him, drawn to Him, all by the grace of God. John writes: “We
love Him because he first loved us. If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates
his brother, he is a liar his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love
his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this
commandment we hove from Him: that he who loves Gog must love his brother also”
(1John 4:20–21). The Greek word, “μισή” translated liar has this meaning:
malicious and unjustifiable feelings towards others, whether towards the
innocent or by mutual animosity, and is one who speaks falsely, and by this
type of feelings and speaking is making himself a liar.
God has
commanded us that we love one another: and I ask you and me; are we following
that command? “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and
everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this
we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His
commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And
His commandments are not burdensome” (1John 5:1–4). What a joyous time of the year: how can we
make it joyful to others? Not just our family: also, to our extended family,
our brothers, and sisters in Jesus Christ. Make this a special time for
yourselves and for others, God blesses those who keep His commandments.
Happiness is to be spread far and wide, and as possible we are the ones sowing
this love and joy. Praise God for this is not burdensome, no, it is a joy.
He brought me to the
Banqueting house,
And his banner over me
Was love.
Song of Solomon 2:4
Receive today the gift of God
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