Love The Brethren

Posted by jerrywhite on Oct 5, 2009

“Reading about the powerful but pathetic disciples has given me pause whenever I speak of fellow believers, particularly those who come from other branches of God’s church. Sometimes we’re so eager to differentiate ourselves from certain denominations or spokespeople that we lose all sense of proportion and become outright critics. Let’s honor what God has done, is doing, and will do through his imperfect church, even while trying to reform it. Not one disciple of Jesus lacked some serious faults — and yet Jesus still loved, called, and used each one.
God loves his church, and he loves the individuals who compose it. If we become critics instead of encouragers, we risk offending God. I know, I know — there are a million things the contemporary church could be doing better, and we could spend our entire lives doing nothing but pointing out each other’s shortcomings, theological prejudices, and stylistic embarrassments. But ask yourself this: If the current church is so bad, so ineffective, and so irrelevant, how did you come to faith while being a part of it?
Our sisters and brothers may have different hairstyles, speaking styles, and worship styles and even different emphases in their preaching, but they are still God’s people. Sometimes our pride makes us ashamed to be a part of others who embarrass us, but from the perspective of spiritual formation, anything that assaults our pride is a good thing — even if it means being categorized with someone with whom we may have legitimate disagreements.”
Gary Thomas
The Beautiful Fight, 217
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I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:1-3
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Love Like God

Posted by jerrywhite on May 14, 2009

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:8 (ESV)
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God is love. This statement helps define who God is. The new commandment our Lord Jesus gave us is to love one another like He loves us (John 13:34). He said that this would be our witness to the world that we are His (John 13:35). We are to love the just and the unjust like He does (Matthew 5:43-48). The fruit of the Spirit is love (Galatians 5:22). His love flowing out of us like rivers [abundance] of living water should define who we are (John 7:38). Practically what does this kind of love look like?
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“I am patient with you because I love you and want to forgive you.
I am kind to you because I love you and want to help you.
I do not envy your possessions or your gifts because I love you
and want you to have the best.
I do not boast about my attainments because I love you and want to hear about yours.
I am not proud because I love you and want to esteem you before myself.
I am not rude because I love you and care about your feelings.
I am not self-seeking because I love you and want to meet your needs.
I am not easily angered by you because I love you and want to overlook your offenses.
I do not keep a record of your wrongs because I love you,
and ‘love covers a multitude of sins.’ “

Jerry Bridges
Action Statements based on 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
The Discipline of Grace, p. 39

Healing By Agape Love

Posted by jerrywhite on Nov 24, 2008

“It is in the expression of agape love that healing of divisions may be found. On one occasion, the Moravian church in Germany was threatened with dissension. Count Zinzendorf suggested that instead of argument, they should meet together and study the first epistle of John. Day after day they met and read; then on August 13, 1727, a great thing happened.
They went to Berthelsdorf for their love feast, their agape. As they spoke and prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and a thrill went through the waiting company. They turned to each other and said, ‘What is this?’ Surely this must be the Spirit of Pentecost.’ Afterward, when they were asked to describe what had happened, they answered, ‘That day we learned to love; to love Christ and to love each other.’ And they never yet have returned to their argument. Instead of disputing, they started a prayer meeting which, in relays, lasted without intermission for over a hundred years.”
J. Oswald Sanders
Enjoying Intimacy with God, pp. 92-93
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The Lord Jesus said that agape love would be the distinctive mark of His followers. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35, ESV). This love is not mere human emotion or affection. It is not ordinary human love. This is heaven’s brand of love—self-sacrificing, constant, pure, and humble. It is the fruit of the Holy Spirit and cannot exist apart from Him filling your soul. It is love that denies self in order to seek the highest good of another. It covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). It forgives and is patient with others, is full of compassion and is kind.
Do you diligently pursue and pray for agape love to be the expression of your life like a river of water flowing from you? This is what the Lord Jesus wants for you.
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And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more.
Philippians 1:9 (ESV)