When reading the fourth chapter of John’s first letter, it would be tough for the author to be more clear with what he wants God’s people to do: “Beloved, let us love one another” (4:7), “we also ought to love one another” (4:11), “if we love one another” (4:12), and “the one who loves God should love his brother also” (4:21). And when the Bible talks about loving others it expects more than warm-fuzzy-feelings. Rather, it’s calling for others-focused, need-meeting, self-sacrificial care (as modelled by Jesus, 4:9–10).
Now, that command for God’s people to love one another is easier to know than to do, easier to take-in than to live-out, easier to understand than to apply. Why? Because, while we may be saved, we’re still a bunch of sinners who hurt each other, disappoint each other, frustrate each other, and disagree with each other. And yet, the command remains the same—love one another. How do we do that with consistency and intentionality? What stops us from obedience? How do we love the sometimes unlovely?
This conversation is based on the sermon “Five Good Reasons to Love One Another” (1 John 4:7–21).
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Josiah has served the Oakridge Bible Chapel family as one of its elders and one of its pastoral staff members since September 2018, before which he ministered as an associate pastor to a local congregation in the Canadian prairies. Josiah's desire is to be used by God to help equip the church for ministry, both while gathered (edification) and while scattered (evangelization). He is married to Patricia, and together they have five children—Jonah, Henry, Nathaniel, Josephine, and Benjamin.