Love as Brethren – Bear all things (2)

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord.  

Primary Text

“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren …” 1 Peter 3v8 (KJV)

1 Corinthians 13v7 tells us that “Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, ...” (AMP); “… It always protects…” (NIV); “… Puts up with anything…” (MSG). When looking at love bearing all things, the Dakes concordance notes that love is “slow to expose.” Wow. Are you quick to expose the faults, wrongs and misdeeds of your brothers and sisters in the Lord? Don’t give up on them. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes. God could have pointed to all the wrong doing we have done, and exposed it, but He chose to send Jesus to die for us, and Jesus laid down His life for us. Moreover, He now gave us His Spirit to be with us, to help us, comfort us, that we may not be as orphans (John 14v8). Jesus did not give up on us. Hebrews 12v2 says “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (KJV). Even when He “…  began to be deeply distressed and troubled. “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” He said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.” Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from Him. “Abba, Father,” He said, “everything is possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.” (Mark 14v33-36, NIV). Perhaps you are finding it really hard to walk in love towards someone right now, to keep forgiving them or be patient with them. Perhaps they keep falling into the same error over and over, and you just want to give up on them – they don’t seem to learn. Perhaps you have been praying for the salvation of your family or friends, and they don’t seem to be changing, don’t give up. Let the Lord strengthen you. Remember, we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5v7, KJV).

Supplementary Text

“By this we come to know (progressively to recognize, to perceive, to understand) the [essential] love: that He laid down His [own] life for us; and we ought to lay [our] lives down for [those who are our] brothers [in Him].” 1 John 3v16 (AMP)

Father, I thank You for Your love for me. Father, help me to persevere in love towards my brethren in Jesus name, amen.