LOVE ONE ANOTHER

INTRO.

1.   “One another” 43 times in N.T.

1. "Love one another" used 13 times in N.T.—Nearly one third of occurrences of the phrase!

2.  Must be an important exhortation.

1. FIRST USE IN JOHN 13:34, 35.

(1) Emphasized three times in this passage--Must be urgent!

(2) Jesus speaking to apostles--Men of differing backgrounds, etc.

(3) Men who had discussed who would be the greatest in kingdom.

(4) "A new commandment"--New as it applies to the Twelve.

a. Is an old commandment--1 Jn. 2:7-11--Takes on a whole new meaning.

(5) "As I have loved you"--Divine model!--1 Jn. 4:19.

a. Jn. 15:12, 13--They would be willing to die for one another!

(6) "By this shall all men know..."--The great evidence of discipleship!

a. A real love--1 Pet. 1:22.

2.  LOVE ONE ANOTHER--FULFILLS THE LAW--ROM. 13:8.

(1) Is the only debt we owe one another--Fellow humans--Gen. 4:9.

(2) Love neighbor as yourself--Makes for great relationships.

(3) Love works no ill to his neighbor--Does only good, seeks good for its object.

a.  Rom. 15:1, 2.

b. Ex. 20:17--Not covet one another's things.

c.  Lev. 19:18--Bear no grudge.

d.  Prov. 3:27-30.

e.  Love forgives--Prov. 10:12; 1 Pet. 4:8.

(4) Fulfills the law.

a. Gal. 5:13-15.

b.  James 2:8-10--Is the basic principle of the law.

3.  TAUGHT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER--1 THESS. 4:9, 10.

(1) No need for them to be reminded more!--Is such a basic precept.

(2) They must have been special in this regard!

(3) Sad when must be reminded over and over of this.

(4) 1 Jn. 3:11--The message from the beginning--2 Jn. 5.

4.  TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER REFLECTS GOD IN OUR LIVES.

(1)  1 Jn. 4:7, 8--Love is of God--Every one that loveth knows God.

(2)  1 Jn. 4:11, 12.

CONC.

1. Often have to learn to love one another--Not always easy!

2.  Love for one another in trying times needed--Need each other to help face things.