Let's Go Back to the Bible

How Am I Supposed to “Love One Another”?

Multiple times in the New Testament, Christians are commanded to love one another.  In fact, children of God are charged to “increase and abound in love to one another” (1 Thess. 3:12) and to “love one another fervently with a pure heart” (1 Pet. 1:22).  How can we properly and effectively develop this attitude and express it “in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18)?  Wouldn’t you know it!  God tells us how in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.  Look at those verses closely and see how they are further developed in other passages.

To love one another, we must be patient! “Showing tolerance for one another(Eph. 4:2).

To love one another, we must be kind! “Be kindly affectionate to one another(Rom. 12:10).

To love one another, we must not envy! “Not become conceited…envying one another (Gal. 5:26).

To love one another, we must not seek the center of attention! “Through love serve one another (Gal. 5:13).

To love one another, we must not be arrogant! “Submitting to one another (Eph. 5:21).

To love one another, we must not behave rudely! “Have the same care for one another” (1 Cor. 12:25).

To love one another, we must not seek our own way! “Giving preference to one another (Rom. 12:10).

To love one another, we must not be irritable! “Having compassion for one another(1 Pet. 3:8).

To love one another, we must not store up resentment! “Forgiving one another(Eph. 4:32).

To love one another, we must not rejoice in wrong-doing! “Edify one another(1 Thess. 5:11).

To love one another, we must rejoice in the truth! “Consider one another (Heb. 10:24).

To love one another, we must bear all things! “Bearing with one another(Eph. 4:2).

To love one another, we must believe all things! “In harmony with one another(Ro. 12:16).

To love one another, we must hope all things! “Encourage one another (1 Thess. 5:11).

To love one another, we must endure all things! “Bear one another’s burdens” (Gal. 6:2).

Loving one another is beautifully depicted in 1 Corinthians 13, then further emphasized with “one another” verses throughout the New Testament.  May God help us to remember that we are “members of one another” (Rom. 12:4-5).