One Anothers

I recently did a study on many of the "one anothers" in the New Testament. Here is a summary:

• Love one another. John 13:34-35

• Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another. Romans 12:10

• Be of the same mind one towards another. Romans 12:16a

• Receive ye one another. Romans 15:7

• Serve one another. Galatians 5:13

• Don't provoke or envy one another. Galatians 5:26

• With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

• Put away lying, speak truth to one another. Eph 4:25

• Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another. Eph 4:32

• Teaching and admonishing one another. Colossians 3:16

• Increase and abound in love towards another. 1 Thess 3:12-13

• Comfort one another with God's Words. I Thess 4:18

• Edify one another. 1 Thess 5:11

• Exhort one another. Heb 3:13

• Speak not evil one of another. James 4:11

• Grudge not against one another. James 5:9

• Confess your faults one to another and pray one for another. James 5:16

• See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently. 1 Peter 1:22

• Be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous. 1 Peter 3:8

• Use hospitality one to another without grudging. 1 Peter 4:9

• Have fellowship one with another. 1 John 1:7

• Love one another. 1 John 4:11-12

"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:35

What would happen in America if all Christians truly loved one another and harkened unto these "one anothers"? Will it start with you?

Love God

You may have heard it said, "The best thing a man can do for his children is to love their mother." There is a lot of truth to that. 

Yet recently my preacher said the best thing a man can do for his family is to love the Lord. Then the Lord gives that person the ability to love others with His love. This is a more powerful truth!

Tonight at prayer meeting, we prayed for God to give us a genuine love for Him. My mind instantly thought of the words on top of Jim's memorial stone "Love Christ More Deeply". And also the two engraved hands clenched in prayer. And familar tears came as memories flooded my mind: Jim on his knees pouring out his heart to God & taking us with him to the throne. I mean it would feel like we were surrounded by the presence of God and lifted up to heaven. When Jim was done, he'd rise up, telling the boys good night. Then as he walked through the doorway, he'd turn and say, "I love you, but I love God more." And down the hallway he'd walk. Then I would make the boys settle down to sleep.

Precious memories! "I love you, but I love God more." And his footsteps down the hall. One could even call it a foreshadowing. Jim wrapping us up in prayer and reminding us of the importance of loving God most, then leaving. The boys and I staying behind. 

Yes, Jim's love for God made all the difference. Not just in our lives with him. But our lives here without him. I see the influence of his love for God in my sons' lives, even my youngest son who was born after his daddy was in heaven. The prayers of his daddy's heart are immortal and the legacy of Jim's love for God lives on.

Love God.

Love Him more deeply.

It makes all the difference.