PHILIPPIANS 1:23-25 – I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith.
THEME OF THE DAY. THE EXPRESSION OF LOVE. Ask any Christian what is the chief characteristic Jesus said would identify His people as belonging to them and I think most, if not all, would get it right. The answer is found in our Lord’s Upper Room Discourse and particularly, in the thirteenth chapter of John’s Gospel. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). The number one thing to be in the life of those who claim to be a disciple of Jesus Christ is love for other Christians. The Apostle Paul recognized this truth in the lives of the Thessalonians – “Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you” (1 Thessalonians 3:11-12). He would even go further and tell them, God Himself, was teaching them this mark of being His Son’s disciples – “Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:9-10). So, if the mark of being a disciple of the Lord Jesus is loving other disciples of Him, what would that look like in practical ways? Allow me to mention two things, then identify one more as modeled by the Apostle Paul in today’s scripture.
First, to love as God commands and give the evidence we are His people, we must be together with God’s people often. There is a growing and alarming trend today among professing Christians; the mindset that a faithful commitment to a local church is not necessary for healthy Christian living. This is dangerous in light of the New Testament clear teaching on the role of the church and the need for Christians to be together often. We simply cannot display love to one another if we are not with one another. Love demands participation in the lives of God’s people. Isolation, and “lone ranger” Christianity is foreign to the Bible and is actually disobedience.
Next, to love one another means we serve one another and that in tangible ways. The Apostle John wrote, “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:18). It is the height of self-deception for me to tell you, “I love you” and yet never reach out to you in service, encouragement, or tangible ways to inquire of your well-being, and then help meet your needs as they exist.
A third way to show our union in Christ by loving one another is modeled by the Apostle Paul in today’s scripture. Do we see it? This is a very intimate portion of the Word revealing the heart of the Apostle Paul. He so loved Christ. His life revolved around Christ. He longed for Christ. He was “busting at the seams” of his heart to be with Christ, yet, he would say, “But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith.” He is modeling one of the most important expressions of love we may give to one another as brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul knew he was left on earth for the spiritual growth and joy of other Christians. And so are we. Now, let’s not be quick to say, “But that was the great apostle. I cannot help others grow in the Lord.” Yes, you can. Yes, I can. And we must. It is an expression of love. It may occur in many ways. I won’t list them. God will do that for you. Remember the Thessalonians? God taught them how to love and He will do the same to us, if we do two things; acknowledge we exist for others, not ourselves, and commit to ministering to other Christians. That’s what love does that verifies we are Christ’s disciples – a love of action in the lives of other Christians.
PRAYER: “Father, help me display my love for You by my active love for Your people.”
QUOTE: “We are given both privilege and responsibility to help each other grow spiritually. How are we doing?”