"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." Philippians 2:1,2 (NIV)
According to Paul, our love relationship with Jesus will have a measurable impact on how we relate to others. Notice too, that it is very positive. It really is logical. When I am connected God, remember scriptures says God is love, His love can’t help but overflow into every area of my life. God gives us encouragement, love and comfort in every way and we pass it on to others in the same way. The same way He has given to me, I am to give to others. Notice Paul’s words: encouragement, comfort, united, love fellowship, tenderness, compassion, oneness and purpose.
So often we focus on the benefit of being free from the eternal punishment of hell. I am all over that – I am so grateful for eternal life with God in heaven. However, to cheat one another out of the rich full relationships He has for us together as His followers would be a travesty. Without Jesus we often relate to one another out of selfishness, pride, anger, greed and disharmony. But God has paved the way for us to love one another, to relate to one another, with love, His love in and through us. Because of God’s deep friendship with us we can have deep friendship in love with others.
Take a few moments to meditate on Philippians 2:1-2 today and ask God to show you how and give you the power to live out this kind of love in all of your relationships.
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