A slightly edited post from the past.
I once read this on twitter ….
Margaret Feinberg â€@mafeinberg
Morning Chutzpah: “There is no one more lonely than those who love only themselves.†–Jewish Proverb
Seriously, how good is that!!! As I continued to think about it, I found myself wondering…
Perhaps this is why Jesus repeatedly tells us to love others.
We tend to think of loving others as a benefit to others. But what if there is mutual benefit? What if it actually benefits us as well? What if loving others truly is the cure for loneliness? Would we go read to the child who wants to hear a story? Would we send that card to a shut-in? Bring food to the hungry? The more I thought about it, I began to think about the number of times we are instructed in Scripture to “love others”….
- “Owe nothing to anyone – except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.”
(Romans 13:8 NLT). Did you catch it? Are we obligated to love one another? The NLT Study Bible comments, “If we truly love others, our actions will reflect all the commandments in the law that concern our relationships with other people.” (page 1916). - “Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love.“ (Ephesians 4:2 NIV). We are to make allowance for the faults of one another because of our love. Don’t be so quick to criticize, to judge, to dislike. But remember that they are yet a work in progress and for the record, so are each of us.
- “You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart.” (1 Peter 1:22 NLT). If we keep in mind that we have been the recipients of God’s love, we will be able to love others. And notice that love is to be sincere and deep.
It is the very words of Jesus Himself that are searching my heart……
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:34, 35 NLT)
The manner in which we interact with each other truly does matter. It matters to a dying world that needs proof – proof that we are truly His. And love is the key – our love for one another.
So how are you doing? Are you loving? Are you loving others?
Today I am joining … Thought Provoking Thurs. and Tell His Story and Quitting Thurs. and Thurs. Favorite Things and Thrive at Home .
Joanne, I love this take on loving others. One of my favorite scriptures is the one that talks about love covering a multitude of sins. We often see that as our love covering over the sins of others. But what if it really means that when we love others, OUR sins are covered over? It all makes sense in the upside-down Kingdom!
Everything makes sense as we filter it through His love. Perhaps this is the very reason, love presents so many challenges, Holly. It is through love both the sins of others & our own are covered. The enemy would seek to keep them covered in shame rather than covered by His blood.
I love that quote! And isn’t our society today all about loving ourselves? Linking up behind you at Quitting Thursday.
Lisa, may we not become like those around us and love with His perfect love. Such is the challenge ever before us. Grateful to have you here!
Great words about loving others. I love Margaret and her books. God Bless You Joanne
Yes, Margaret has a ways of making me think! Blessings, Angie!
That’s a really good word for us. Thank you for sharing your wisdom… And Margaret’s too!
Thank you, Jennifer. May we realize there is much to gain from loving others, which is why the challenge is so great. Blessings to you!
Love this, Joanne. It ties right into the verse my Good Morning Girls group looked at today in I John 4. I will be sharing your post with them.
So glad you linked up at Thought-Provoking Thursday! 🙂
Lyli, how encouraging to know the post fit in with your study. I love how God weaves His community & His Word together! Thank you for encouraging me & hosting the linkup each week!