John 13:34-35
People have distinctive features that stand out.
Question: What is the distinctive feature of a Christian? - "Love for One Another".
Breakdown:
I. the Love = agape - highest form of love.
The Greeks called this the gift love: selfless, sacrificial, other focused, committed to the well being of another rather than on self
Therefore: giving without thought of receiving back, recompense
Christians used this word (agape) to God's Love: ie: pure, proper, absolute, perfect love.
ALSO: active - ie: practiced, not merely professed
impartial, unconditional - directed toward all
intentional - chosen on purpose - love of choice, love on purpose
II. the Command - the call/charge - calls for...
1. selfless love
2. directed toward fellow Christians (love of the brethren)
3. expressed in an active, practical manner
III. The Model, Example to follow: "as I have loved you.... so you must love one another"
IV. The Phrase (wording - love one another) => common to the New Testament. More than 50 times in the New Testament, this wording is used to instruct us in How to love one another.
Heb. 3:12-13 - Encourage one another
1 Thess. 5:11 - build one another up - edify - lift up, don't tear down
Gal. 6:2 - bear one another's burdens (help carry)
Eph. 4:32 - be kind to one another, forgive one another
James 5:16 - confess your sins to one another, pray for one another
Rom. 12:10 - be devoted to one another, honor one another above yourself - look to needs of others above needs of self
Eph. 4:2 - bear with one another, put up with one another, be patient with one another
1 Pet. 4:9 - offer hospitality to one another
Heb. 10:24 - spur one another on
ADD:
accept one another
admonish one another
minister your gifts to one another
instruct one another --> show compassion for one another
be devoted to one another --> comfort one another
agree with one another --> give preference to one another
submit to one another
honor one another
Rom. 16:16 - greet one another "with a holy kiss" - (in a holy manner)
V. The Promise (outcome/result/consequence....)
John 13:35 - "by this...."
OBSERVATIONS/APPLICATIONS
#1. this is weighty material to consider - Jesus' words + "one anothers" + content = a lot of scripture/instruction/imperatives. No surprise!! - Matt. 22:34-40
#2. This is simple material to comprehend (understand).
On one hand, there are questions surrounding it - "how much? how far? how long? do we do the "list"
However, THE BASIC, PRIMARY meanings = simple and clear!!!
#3. (though simple to comprehend) these are extremely difficult to practice!!! ie: fully, consistently, long term..
Though none can live up to this fully ( Rom. 3:23 ), this = the model/pattern/goal/distinctive mark!
#4. The practice (or non-practice) of these precepts has enormous consequences for the Kingdom!! - affect people and people are eternal!!!
#5. This is (mostly) personal material - ie: primarily for you to measure SELF!! Not to measure others!!!
Should be reciprocal, but you control ONLY One Way!! - You can do unto others, can't control if they do back to you.
#6. This is not what makes you Christian - it is what identifies you, shows you to BE Christian.
Gospel vs. lifestyle
#7. The practice of loving one another is never complete (fulfilled) in this life. Rom. 13:8 - we never get it done! Never complete to a point where we can say, I've done enough!!!!
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WHAT IS SIN? BY STEVE FINNELL
What is sin and what makes us guilty of sin? Are we guilty of sin because of our own actions or are we guilty because Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden? Because of Adam's sin all men will die physically. Because men commit sin they die spiritually and need a Savior.
1 John 3:4 Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
You are not counted as a law breaker due to that fact you were born. Being born is not a sin. Infants are not sinners.
James 1:14-15 But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
Adam's sin does not give birth to any one's spiritual death. The individuals own evil desire is responsible for sin and spiritual death. Is the baby in the womb enticed by its own evil lust and then, sins the moment it is born? Of course NOT.
Romans 14:11-12 For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue give praise to God." 12 So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God.
When you bow before Jesus you will not be required to give an account of Adam's sin. It will be every individuals task to give an account of himself.
ARE INFANTS GUILTY OF SIN? ABSOLUTELY NOT!
Infants would have to be law breakers to be guilty of sin.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
How many infants do you know who are guilty of these sins?
Even it infants were guilty of sin, they could not meet the requirements of forgiveness of their sins.
Belief always precedes water baptism. (Mark 16:16)
Belief and repentance precede water baptism. (Acts 2:38)
Belief always precedes water baptism. (Acts 16:31-34 They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. 33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. 34 .....having believed in God with his whole household.
Belief always precedes water baptism. NOTE: that there were no infants in the jailer's household. Why would that be the case? Because the whole household had come to believe in God. INFANTS CANNOT BELIEVE IN GOD!
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Guilty of sin? YES.
Guilty of Adam's sin? NO.
If sin is inherited, then, why would the inherited sin of forgiven Christians be passed on? THERE WOULD BE NO SIN TO INHERIT!
HOW COULD YOU, AFTER HAVING BEING WASHED BY THE BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST, HAVE INHERITED SIN TO PASS TO FUTURE GENERATIONS?
YOU ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW MY BLOG. http://steve-finnell.blogspot.com
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