Why Loving Each Other is Important for the Church
Have you ever thought about the impact of not showing love to those around us? The Bible teaches us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to love even our enemies. In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus commands us to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Not only does this benefit us and those we love, but it also affects the reputation of Jesus and the church as a whole.
When we fail to love others, we hurt Jesus’s reputation, and the church suffers. In this article, we will explore what these verses are telling us about loving each other, and how not loving each other hurts the church.
What Does it Mean to Love Each Other?
In Matthew 5:43-44, we are called to love even our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Philippians 2:3-4 reminds us to put others before ourselves, and Romans 12:10 encourages us to show love, honor, and preference to one another.
Loving each other means putting others before ourselves, showing kindness and forgiveness, and treating others with respect and honor. It means being patient and bearing with one another, even under challenging circumstances.
How Does Not Loving Each Other Hurt the Church?
When we do not show love to those around us, we hurt the reputation of Jesus and the church. Ephesians 4:31-32 teaches us to put away all bitterness, wrath, and anger and instead show kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness. Colossians 3:12-15 calls us to put on love as we put on clothing, and 1 Peter 4:8 reminds us that love covers a multitude of sins.
Holding onto bitterness, anger, and unforgiveness towards others creates a toxic environment within the church. This can lead to division, gossip, and backbiting, all of which are harmful to the body of Christ. When we fail to love one another, we are not living out the gospel message that Jesus preached.
The Importance of Loving Each Other as Christ Loved Us
In John 15:17, Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us. And in 1 John 4:7-8, we are told that God is love, and if we do not love, we do not know God.
We are called to love one another as Christ loved us, which means sacrificially and unconditionally. Jesus showed us the ultimate example of love by dying on the cross for our sins. When we love one another in this way, we demonstrate to the world that we are His disciples.
Conclusion
Let us love one another as Christ has loved us, and in doing so, bring glory to His name and build up the church. As we put aside our differences and focus on the love that Christ has shown us, we will create a welcoming and loving environment within the church. By loving one another, we demonstrate to the world the transformative power of the gospel message. Let us be a beacon of love and hope to those around us. #LoveOneAnother #ChristLikeLove #BuildingUpTheChurch
About the Author
Bruce Mitchell is a speaker, writer, and Bible teacher who loves to share God’s Word in everyday life. He has studied at Biola University and Dallas Theological Seminary. His blog (Allelon.us) is all about the principles of Agapao Allelon (Loving One Another) and God’s Mercy, Grace, Love, and Forgiveness and how it applies to our daily lives as Christ-Followers. (1 Peter 4:8)
Check out more of his work here
