Becoming Like Jesus : Love One Another
APPLICATION ARTICLE | Brian Sullivan | Jordan, Ontario
In Romans 8:28-30, the apostle Paul by inspiration gave a concise treatment of God’s Eternal Plan or Purpose for mankind. Within its context it is a clear demonstration of the principle expressed in verse 28: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose”. Every part of His plan and purpose is intended to bring us closer to Him. In verse 29, Paul writes: “For whom He foreknew”. That would be His choice to bless those who enter into Christ (1 Peter 2:4-5; 9-10; Ephesians 1:3; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-29). However, it is what we learn next that sets the stage for what we hope to develop in this article. “He also predestined (determined in advance, bvs) to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Romans 8:29b, NKJV). From eternity it was God’s will, desire, and intention for those who follow His Son to enjoy the blessings in Him (Ephesians 1:3; 1 John 3:1-3), but to also be like Him.
Realizing that, the Christian seeks to be more like Christ day after day (Paul stated it clearly in Galatians 2:20, and Romans 6:7 shows where our death to our old life took place.) Before we get to our assigned text, let us share a few ways in which we are to be like Christ. 1. We are to be “holy” as He is “holy” (1 Peter 1:13-16). 2. We are to be “righteous” as He is “righteous” (1 John 3:7). 3. We are to be “pure” as He is “pure” (1 John 3:3). 4. We are to be “forgiving” as He is “forgiving” (Matthew 6:17-18). 5. We are “love” as He is “loving” (Ephesians 5:1-2; 5:25). You might think of other examples, and you can add them as you discover them.
The Greatest Illustration of God’s Love Is the Cross
Though many people can almost quote John 3:16, we are going to put it here in the words of Scripture: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (NKJV) There is no act of love that can surpass that on the part of the Father to save us, and on the part of the Son to lay down His life for us (John 10:17-18; 12:27). The apostle Paul gives us further insight on this manner of love when he writes to the church at Rome (see Romans 5:6-11). At verse 8, Paul writes: “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. At verse 10, he adds: “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” That passage abounds with words that relate the love of God at the cross, and the willingness of Christ to die for us to our salvation (“justified by His blood”, v. 9; “saved from wrath through Him”, v. 9; “reconciled to God through the death of His Son”, v. 10; “saved by His life”, v. 10; “through whom we have now received the reconciliation”).
Living the Example of the Cross (1 John 3:16-18)
John, the inspired penman makes his appeal to us in 1 John 3:16a. He writes: “By this you know love, because He laid down His life for us.” Jesus in the good shepherd passage (John 10) declared: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep” (v. 11). At verse 15, He states again, “and I lay down my life for the sheep”. In verse 18, Jesus makes it clear “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself, I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” Without doubt we “know love” because of what Jesus did at the cross. It is ours to share in, ours to rejoice in, and ours to cherish. What an impressive example of love, sacrificial love that did not hold back in His quest to bring us back to God (Romans 5:6-11; Ephesians 5:25-27). It impresses on us the significance of properly remembering Him in partaking of the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-29; Acts 20:7).
The sobering reality comes into the next statement in 1 John 3:16: “And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (NKJV) We know what He did for us, but the question is are we going to be as willing to lay down our lives for the brethren? Many of us in the Western World have not yet known the full extent of persecution, or facing death over our faith and trust in God, as some have in other parts of the world. Let us not boldly step forth with claims of what we will do or how we will handle it (remember Peter’s in Matthew 26:31-35, and Jesus spoke of his soon to be experienced failure in this regard). No, God is not desiring a boastful commitment when not under fire, but a steadfast determination, a hope through the atonement of Christ that even if death is my end, hope is still my reality and the promises of God will stand (see Hebrews 12:1-4)
Dealing with brethren…meeting their needs
In the lesson on the distribution of the “talents” (money units, bvs) according to each man’s ability (Matthew 25:14-15) (personal skill, business sense, or attained experience) Jesus speaks of a man who was given five talents, another two, and a final one (a single talent). When he comes back for them to give account of what they had done, we find that the first two (the five and two talent) individuals met with his approval. What was said of the first was also stated of the second. Here is the exact wording of Matt 25:21: “21 His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord’ (NKJV). We mention that in order to draw that evaluation from the lesson in which Jesus commends each of them for their service with what was entrusted to their care, and further states: “you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things”. Then, they receive what the old-time gospel preacher’s used to call ‘The welcome plaudit’ (commendation followed by an invite into the presence of the Lord). There is a great lesson that fits with our current context in 1 John 3. Though the writer John has already stated that like Christ “we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (v. 16), he gives us what might be called a test of our love on a lesser scale. If we are willing to rise and to meet that need, perhaps another day a greater test of our love will come and not appear so daunting. If we have a willing heart, the rest will follow (think of those of Macedonia in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5). At 1 John 3:17, we find: “But whoever has this world’s goods, and see his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (NKJV). If I as a Christian close my heart to my brother’s needs and do not help him, how can I claim to love God on one hand, and to love my brother on the other? Both James 1:27 and Galatians 6:10 are individual responsibilities that provide me with an opportunity to share God’s blessings with others, but also quietly offer me a way to demonstrate that “love” is not just idle words, but deeds and actions. If Jesus had simply said, ‘I am prepared to die for you, and yet never did… we would be without a Savior and without hope.’ Helping someone is not near as significant as dying for them, or laying down your life for them, but it may prepare you for greater service one day, and it may be the difference between their own survival and their ability to help others one day.
God desires us to love “in deed and in truth”. It is not our boast that puts help in front of others or demonstrates courage, it is quietly, faithfully carrying out the will of God in your life. When you see a need you do what you can to assist, to encourage, to help. Anyone can declare what they are willing to do, but the Christian does what they are able to without fanfare, without ceremony, without public knowledge (see Matthew 6:1-4), and God will reward them one day for their doing (1Timothy 5:25). Remember those word of James 2:18: “But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (NKJV). Not only is faith demonstrated by what we do (works) but so also is our “love”. We close this with one simple thought from Ephesians 5:1-2: “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” (NKJV). May the love of God and the willing sacrifice of Christ allow us to love beyond anything we ever dreamed was possible, whether it be in those small tasks to help our brethren or the ultimate giving of our very selves for God’s cause and glory.
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July 2023 | GROW magazine
