Do you ever struggle to get along with others?
It can be a real challenge at times… especially to get along with certain people.
Today, let’s take a few minutes to consider what the Bible has to say about getting along with others.
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“A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
John 13:34
So, what gets in the way great relationships?
What prevents us or blocks us from sweeter fellowship and community?
Let’s turn to the Bible for some thoughts.
The following is by no means an exhaustive list, but the scriptures included provide us with a few important considerations regarding love.
First, Bible love means sacrificing with no expectations of anything in return.
Too often, there are folks who do things for others and then wait to see what they will do for them in return.
That is more akin to bartering than an expression of love.
Second, to get along, the Bible encourages us to spend daily time in God’s Word.
Love means we want to spend time each day reading God’s Word.
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”
Psalm 119:11
Third, for better fellowship, we will look forward to spending time with other members of our family of God.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:24-25
Fourth, Bible love means that we avoid gossiping about others.
This is really tough at times!
But gossip displeases the Lord and hurts others.
“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”
Proverbs 11:13
Fifth, we have to look for opportunities to encourage and build up other believers.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11
Sixth, real love means that others can see that we are followers of the Lord by what they see us do and hear us say.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”
John 13:35
Seventh, to honor Christ we will become seekers of peace.
When we want to see peace, then we will practice self-control, and manage our irritations and anger.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.”
2 Corinthians 13:11
Eighth, Bible love means we find ways to serve the Lord – to be a part of His earthly ministry.
“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
Galatians 5:13
Ninth, it’s hard to love because Bible love means that we will be humble and not arrogant.
We will be gentle when dealing with others and will practice patience.
Patience means we develop an ability to tolerate others, rather than rising up in anger when they have a different opinion than ours.
Patience can be a struggle for “fix it” type people, but with God’s help, everyone can develop patience.
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Ephesians 4:2
Patience can be a struggle for “fix it” type people, but with God’s help, everyone can develop patience. Click To Tweet
Tenth, Bible love means that we know how to be thankful to others for their graciousness, and to God, for the blessings, we receive from Him.
Learning to be thankful is an indication that our capacity for love is growing.
When our love is growing, we can be assured that our faith is also growing.
“We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing.”
2 Thessalonians 1:3
Eleventh, God’s love means that we have a strong desire for obeying God’s commands.
It also means that our concern for others is sincere to the point that we are willing to sacrifice time and convenience to help them when they are in need.
“Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.”
1 Peter 1:22
Twelfth, real love means that we think like other believers.
Why?
Because we all are developing a mindset similar to what we have learned about the mindset of Jesus.
“Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”
1 Peter 3:8
Thirteenth, genuine love means that our belief in the Son of God, Jesus Christ, is real and sincere.
“And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.”
1 John 3:23
Fourteenth, we obey God’s command to love one another.
It means that we can love more sincerely than the world’s definition of love.
“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
1 John 4:11
Fifteenth, we will freely attend to the needs of other believers with no expectations from them.
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
John 21:16
Finally, we acknowledge that there are times when we consider the needs of others ahead of our own needs.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
Philippians 2:3-4
More Thoughts
We have a natural desire to share our lives with one another, and we can experience emotional involvement with daily situations.
This gives us a powerful means of connecting with others, but it can also leave us vulnerable to the sin of gossip.
We may be tempted to gossip to make ourselves look or feel better, but it does just the opposite – others soon categorize us as ‘gossips’.
As the verse above tells us, in order to enjoy life (a life centered on Christ), we need to control our tongues.
When love replaces self-centeredness, we find those thoughts of evil, deceitfulness, vindictiveness, hatefulness, and gossip are no longer a natural tendency.
Instead, we have tenderness and a natural desire to love others and love God.
Making This Practical
~ What about you?
~ What does your love meter look like?
~ Does it lean toward the worldly definition, or is it more like the love of Christ?
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A Prayer for Bible Love
“Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me in a way that doesn’t change based on my actions. You show me a “new love” that is far from the world’s idea of love, and it is shown in Your Son, Jesus Christ, as well.
Show me how to have that kind of love for You and for others. Too often I allow circumstances and the actions of others to cause me to withhold my love.
You don’t do that with me, so help me to change my ideas and thoughts about love; mold them into a love more like Yours.
Teach me to look for opportunities to express compassion for others. I pray that I will no longer allow my selfishness, self-centeredness, anger, deceitfulness, busyness, hurt feelings, or anything else to ‘get in the way’ of showing love for others, and for You.
Thank You, Jesus, for Your ultimate expression of love, when You voluntarily went to the cross for me, and everyone else (even those who mock and hate You.”
About the Author:
Don has been teaching Bible classes for over 40 years and a Christian blogger for the last 7 years.
He has been married to Debbie for 50 years and has two children and seven grandchildren. He is overwhelmed and humbled daily by the Lord’s presence.
You can check out Don’s blog at https://utvolwoody.wordpress.com/
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2 Comments
Patrick · 09/03/2020 at 2:36 AM
Thank you so much Melanie for the powerful massage about love.
On a daily basis I encounter with many people of different habits and characters.
Others talk lies about me, others fail to pay when I give the debts at a time of need, others I talk well to them but how they reply me is not pleasing, others I share my future plans but receive discouraging comments and the list is numerous.
The greatest gift I need from God now is unconditional love. How God has loved me I will live to share the some with others. I am totally convinced that every ones needs to have unconditional love for one another.
God bless you abundantly.
helloredds@gmail.com · 09/09/2020 at 8:25 AM
Amen, Patrick!
It can be such a challenge to show grace to others!
Praying that you will rest in God’s love and know He adores you!
Also praying you will share the love of Jesus with those around you. People desperately need Him!
Blessings to you today~
Melanie