"THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER" Loving One Another Fervently (1:22) INTRODUCTION 1. In our last study, we saw that "Proper Conduct As Obedient Children" means: a. Not to conform ourselves to the former lusts - 1Pe 1:14 b. To be holy in all our conduct - 1Pe 1:15-16 c. To conduct ourselves in fear - 1Pe 1:17-21 2. Another responsibility we have as obedient children is found in verse 22... a. Simply stated, we are to "love one another fervently". b. A closer look at verse 22 reveals: 1) What "fervent love" is 2) And how it is possible for Christians to "love one another fervently" [But before we take that closer look, consider this question...] I. WHY IS "FERVENT LOVE" IMPORTANT? A. IT IS A DEMONSTRATION OF DISCIPLESHIP... 1. While Judas had gone to betray Him, Jesus gave a new commandment - Jn 13:33-35 2. It is a commandment to love one another, even as Jesus loved us 3. The reason for such a commandment: to convince the world that we are truly His disciples! 4. Where there is no "Christ-like love", our actions betray our words a. We may profess to be Christ's disciples... b. But failure to have a fervent love like Christ had for us will cause the world to doubt our discipleship! B. IT IS A DEMONSTRATION OF SPIRITUAL LIFE... 1. "Love of the brethren" is an indication that we have passed from spiritual death to spiritual life - 1Jn 3:14 2. Failure to love the brethren is an indication that we are still spiritually dead! C. THIRDLY, IT DEMONSTRATES OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD... 1. God is love, and those who truly love have been born of God - 1Jn 4:7 2. Failure to love leaves the impression that we have not been born again and that we do not truly know God! - 1Jn 4:8 [Certainly these three reasons should convince us that "loving one another fervently" is important. But what qualifies as a "fervent love"? What kind of love will demonstrate our discipleship, our spiritual life, our relationship with God?] II. WHAT IS "FERVENT LOVE"? A. CLEARLY, IT IS "FERVENT"... 1. The same word is used in reference to prayer in Ac 12:5 a. There it is translated "constant" or "earnest" b. Just as the disciples were constantly praying for the release of Peter, so our love for one another is to be "unceasing" 2. Therefore, only that love which is constant and earnest can qualify as "fervent love" B. IT MUST ALSO BE "SINCERE"... 1. Translated "unfeigned" in some versions 2. The Greek word literally means "not hypocritical" 3. This makes it clear that "fervent love" is not to be some kind of show, but coming from the heart - cf. Ro 12:9 C. FINALLY, IT MUST ALSO BE "PURE"... 1. Love of the brethren must always be kept in the context of moral purity 2. Under no circumstances is our love to be a cover for sexual immorality - Ep 5:2-3 3. Pure, sincere, fervent love, then, is one that emulates Christ's love, i.e., a sacrificial love! [How do we measure up to this type of love? Do we have a pure and sincere love for one another? Does the word "fervently" accurately describe our feelings and actions towards each other? If our only contact with one another is a weekly assembly, and if we are not opening our hearts and our homes to one another, can it be said that we love one another fervently? Brethren, think upon these things! Finally...] III. HOW IS "FERVENT LOVE" POSSIBLE? A. IT IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OUR SOULS HAVE BEEN PURIFIED... 1. By obeying the truth we have been forgiven - 1Pe 1:22; cf. Ac 2:38 2. By continuing to heed the truth, we are taught to be pure - cf. Ep 4:20-24 3. Therefore we can be fervent in our love for it will be a pure love B. IT IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN "BORN AGAIN" 1. Born again by the incorruptible word of God! - cf. 1Pe 1:23 2. How does being born again by the Word of God prepare us to love one another fervently? a. By the Word of God we come to know what true love really is b. For the Word of God tells us of: 1) The love of Jesus - 1Jn 3:16-18 2) The love of God - 1Jn 4:9-10 C. IN OTHER WORDS... 1. We CAN have this fervent love because we have been purified and understand the need for a sincere, pure love of the brethren 2. We WILL have this fervent love, because the love of Jesus and God motivates us! CONCLUSION 1. If we fail to "love one another fervently" with sincerity and purity, it is an indication that we either: a. Have never been purified, born again b. Or are not allowing the love of God and Jesus to motivate us 2. Furthermore, failure to love one another fervently presents a picture to the world which belies our claim to: a. Be true disciples of Christ b. Possess spiritual life c. Have a relationship with God as our heavenly Father 3. Perhaps this is the reason Peter exhorts us to love one another fervently, not only here in verse 22, but also in 1Pe 4:8! 4. In view of these truths found in God's Word, how are we doing in our gave for one another? a. Even if we excel in this department, there is room for improvement - cf. 1Th 4:9-10 b. In the days ahead, think of how you can be more fervent in your love of the brethren c. But just don't think, ACT! Open your hearts and homes to each other! If you are not a Christian, we want you to enjoy the blessings of God's love and the love of His children. But these blessings are only for those who have purified themselves by obeying the truth! Why not do so today?Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011
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