Originally written 15 March 2010:

This week, the sermon by CH Reese made me think of some of my favorite verses that relate to how we are to love one another. Please take the time to read these verses from the Word of God:

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.

“Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

“For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

“Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

“Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ.

“Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

“Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”

(Heb 10:23-25, Eph 4:1-3, Col 4:6, Rom 12:16, Gal 6:3, I Cor 8:1b-2, Phil 2:3-4, Gal 6:1-2, Rom 12:15, Heb 4:15-16, II Cor 1:3-5, II Pet 1:12, Phil 1:6, Jude 1:24-25 NASB)