Loving The Household Of Faith Series

PURSUING THE LOVE OF GOD Part 5

Part 5: LOVING THE HOUSEHOLD OF FAITH

1. Introduction

John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." 1 John 3:14 “We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren”

In this lesson I want to talk about what it is to practically pursue love with your brothers and sisters in the Lord or the household of faith. This brotherly love is quite unique, for it has no cause other than the fact that someone is a brother. You do not love him because he agrees with you. It is natural for people who have the same interest or the same outlook to love one another. But the one you love is different from you in education, temperament, background, and viewpoint. You love him simply because he is a believer even as you are. You are brethren; therefore you have fellowship. There is an indescribable feeling, an unexplainable sensation toward each other. This consciousness is the evidence of your having passed out of death into life. If I love the brethren, I know I have passed out of death into life.

Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

We find a strong command throughout the Scriptures to love one another as Christ has loved us. This is a preeminent quality or characteristic that God is looking for in our lives. It is the preeminent quality or characteristic that will help to establish the fullness of God's kingdom in our midst. Why should we love one another? Because love is of God. Whoever loves is begotten of God, and whoever does not love, does not know God. God is love, and love comes from God. When He begat us, He implanted love in us. We did not have this love in the past, but now we possess it. It is from God. And it is given to all who are begotten of God that we may love one another.1 John 4:7,11 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 11Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart...

1 Thessalonians 3:12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,

As we can see, from these passages of Scripture, God is very serious when He commands us to love one another. It is the preeminent characteristic that He desires to work out in our lives. As we will see, it is also the major ingredient for building up the Body of Christ.

It is our love for one another that shows that we are true disciples. With this in mind let's explore how Christ's love is worked out in our lives as we relate to one another in the Body of Christ. It is when we are truly loving the members of Christ's body that we are loving Him as well. Matthew 25:45 "Then He will answer them, saying, `Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'

11. Seven Practical ways to walk In Brotherly Love.

I want to give you seven practical aspects of walking in brotherly love with one another in the household of faith today. These are principles that will help us build the kind of church that will glorify the Father. If you have truly believed in God and have life in you, you will naturally be attracted to the brethren. Your love for Christians will be spontaneous; you will feel they are closer to you than your brethren in the flesh, more intimate than the best of your friends. This brotherly affinity is ingrained. You find an inscrutable sensation surge within you which makes you love your brother and love to be with him. Thus do you know you have passed out of death into life. You have the witness within you as well as in the Word of God. Let’s look at the practical was to show this.

1. Loving One Another Involves A Desire To Walk In Unity.

Amos 3:3 can two walk together, unless they are agreed? Our love for one another in the Body of Christ is based on the commonality we have in our fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God.