Let Us Love One Another

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

1 John 4:7-9

If we would know God as love, we should know Him in Christ, looking to the love of the Savior suffering on the cross (1 John 3:16; John 3:16; 1 John 4:9; Rom. 5:8). The Holy Spirit enlightens our heart to know God as love (Rom. 5:5).

Knowing God as love moves us to love others, and we know that we have passed from death to life.

“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren…” 1 John 3:14

Lord, may I not fail to love and show mercy today.

Father, may my heart rest in your love for me, John 17:23.

I give thanks for your love that gave your Son for me.

You loved me when I was dead in sin, Lord, Eph. 2:4-6;

And raised me up to life eternal, Eph. 2:4-6,

And ever keep me in life, 1 John 4:9.

 

Let my thoughts, my motives, and my prayers

Be of love.

Let me love you with all my heart,

And love others with your love. Amen.

“…that they all may be one…”

  Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

John 17:20-21

{Jesus prayed this on the eve of His death}

In John 17:20-26 Jesus prayed for the disciples, and for future believers including me. May this faith in your prayer for me unite me with the saints, Lord. We are perfected in oneness with fellow believers, John 17:22-23:  “…I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one…” We are edified by the love of the brethren, Eph. 4: 16: “From whom the whole body fitly joined together…maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love…” See Paul’s longing in Col.2:2: “…That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love…”

 The Lord’s anointing is upon us when we are united in love, Ps. 130:1-3: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments….for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.”

You prayed for me too, Lord Jesus when you said, “for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” May your prayer avail for me now, Lord, that I be found in this blessing of unity with all the saints of all time, and be made perfect.

This unity is the glory bestowed upon me, Lord.  May I be edified by the love of the brethren – especially those in the local church. May I love them as you loved me, Lord, and may my heart be found blameless in holiness. Amen.