English
Português
Español
Français
Answer
The Christian life is meant to be lived in community. That’s why we are encouraged to “not give up meeting together” «not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. », (Hebrews 10:25). Our fellow believers in Christ inspire us to “run the race” of faith with endurance. They help us identify things we might overlook in ourselves, aiding in our spiritual growth. They motivate us to pursue God’s will and keep us responsible for living out our professed beliefs. Together, believers can shine as a light in this world, spurring one another on to love and good deeds «and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: », (Hebrews 10:24).
Before Jesus was crucified, He gave His disciples a “new” command: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34-35). This call to love one another is reiterated several times in Scripture (Romans 12:10;1 Peter 4:8;1 John 4:7,11). The love that believers show for each other reveals to the world who God is and what a life transformed by Christ looks like. First John 4:7–8 explains why we should love one another: “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Because God is love, believers can and should encourage one
One another to love and good works.
In community, believers can practice what it means to love like God: sacrificially «For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.», (2 Corinthians 5:21), selflessly «For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. », (Mark 10:45), and unconditionally «But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. », (Romans 5:8). When we are offended, we can practice loving each other well by forgiving one another «and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.», (Ephesians 4:32). We can bear with one another even when times or people are difficult «forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. », (Colossians 3:13). When someone is in need, we can practice loving one another by tangibly meeting the need «My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. », (1 John 3:18). We can also love people by building them up and helping them grow in Christ (Romans 14:19;1 Thessalonians 5:11). We can step outside our comfort zone and encourage one another to love and good works in ways thatWe would not naturally pursue. We can be encouraged as we see others living out godly values in different, creative ways. By this, the world can see what the love of God is.
Believers are also a light to the world through their good deeds. Jesus exhorted believers to “let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” «Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. », (Matthew 5:16). Good works do not save us (Ephesians 2:8-9); however, faith without works is dead faith «For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.», (James 2:26). God saved us not just to rescue us from the consequence of our sin but also to reflect His character and goodness to the world. As the Holy Spirit produces fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23), we will act in ways that reflect God’s character. Instead of living according to our old selfish and sinful ways, we will seek to do good works that please God. We will exhort others to do the same. Fellowshipping with other Christians gives us the opportunity to put those good works into practice and surrounds us with examples of how to “stir up one another to love and good works” «and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: », (Hebrews 10:24, ESV).
Loving others well and doing good works is a tangible way to reflect the light of Christ in this world. We must take seriously the instruction to encourage one another to love and good works so God can be glorified and so His love.
Love can be fulfilled in us: “Since God loved us so much, we also should love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God remains in us and his love is perfected in us” (1 John 4:11-12).
