This was in my drafts from a few years ago and since Valentine’s Day is on Wednesday this is a good encouragement on how to love ‘One Another’.
I recommend this easy study to any of you to do at home or in a study group. Grab your concordances and search and find all the ways we are suppose to behave with one another. I’m including one great passage from Colossians that covers a few and suggestions for what to look for. Enjoy!
Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
Here are some helpful descriptions of some of these virtues; (taken from The Reformation Bible, ESV, R.C. Sproul – general Editor)
Kindness: Readiness to do good, even when it may be undeserved (Rom 2:4; Titus 3:4).
Compassion: An emotional, caring relationship with those whose lives are hurt and broken (Matt. 9:36; 14:14; Rom. 12:1).
Humility: A posture of lowliness and servanthood (Mark 10;45; Phil. 2:1-11).
Meekness: Or, “gentleness” in offering help, a non-coercive approach to encouraging change in others’ lives (Matt. 11:29; 2 Cor. 10:1; Gal. 6:1; 2 Tim. 2:25).
Patience: Willingness to take the long view in face of human frailty (Rom. 2:4; 1 Tim. 1:16).
Here’s a non-exhaustive list of the “one anothers” to look for; love one another, serve one another, accept one another, forgive one another, comfort one another, encourage one another, care for one another.
Our Christian life is meant to be lived in community. What a good challenge it is to be encouraging to one another as we grow in community.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
…we set a gorgeous table!
Yes! We should live loving one another.
Pretty table and cake. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours.
Take care, enjoy your day and happy week ahead!
What a lovely post, Ellen. The Scriptures from Colossians are precious, aren’t they? They are also convicting, if I’m being honest. And, yes, the Christian life is to be lived in community and in order to do that, His love has to be the way we accomplish it.
Love the cake!!!
Great post!!
Wonderful and thought-provoking verses and the cake is a winner too!
Beautiful picture and words! Happy Valentine’s Day Ellen!
That passage is rich, isn’t it? I like your words “good challenge” because loving one another and living in community is both of those things. It is challenging because we are all so very human. But it is good because that is God’s desire for us and it brings great rewards!
The right words for Valentine’s and every day. Love one another, encourage one another, serve one antoher, forgive one another … Our Lord knows how we could live an uncomplicated life.