Title: How to Test if Your Love is Genuine?
Text:
1 Timothy 1:5 (ESV)
5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
1 Peter 1:22 (ESV)
22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
Observation:
Today the one word that I have on my heart is cooperation. The word comes from my prayer, which was the prayer of Jesus for His followers.
John 17:21 (ESV)
21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
If this was a need that Jesus saw in His people, and was moved to pray for us; then, certainly this is a need that I should be concerned about, and make a matter of prayer. This I know; God will answer the prayer of Jesus.
How can we be a part of God's answer to prayer for God's people of the first century, and God's people today?
Galatians 5:6 (ESV)
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
Cooperation is birthed and grows in a relationship of loving one another. Here are some ways that we test if our love for one another is genuine.
Romans 12:9-19 (ESV)
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.
12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."
Prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I pray that You would give Your people a love like Peter and Paul described; please answer the prayer that Jesus prayed in John 17:21 in our hearts. In the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen.
Matthew 4:4 (HCSB)
4 But He answered, "It is written: Man must not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."
Psalm 2:8 (HCSB)
8 Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance and the ends of the earth Your possession.
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