Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:2c
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
Ephesians 4:2
It is no new thing for all the believers of the risen glorious Christ, to be under and obligated to fulfill the command of loving one another. In fact, the Lord Himself mentioned crystal clear that “by this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” This command is practical and profound in all its facets, and it shines brilliantly like a gem fully exposed to sunlight, nothing to be ashamed of its glory. And the reason is very simple, yet mind blowing and heart shattering, for the command reflects the very nature of the One who establishes it – love. Yes, dear saint, be reminded that God is love. And this is the reason why we are being urged for love, for it is the essential key for bearing with our brethren – our companions to the newness of life in Christ.
Continuing further to the next appeal which Paul deeply urges the believers in Ephesus (and us as well) in response to the Christian blessedness (1:3-3:21), is the walk with bearing with one another in love: “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called. . . . bearing with one another in love (vv.1-2c)”. Bearing here can be also taken as endure or to endure uncomplainingly, having the idea as well of holding up firmly, sustaining, and this exhortation is tied in love. The urge is not bear up with the brothers because of obligation alone, but always and never will be done without love, that this will be far beyond burdensome. It is in love and by the love of God working in our hearts, that all believers may conduct the newness of their lives or their blessedness in Christ in a manner worthy of this amazing grace given by God through His Son – the One who showcased God’s love perfectly.
Dear saint, it must be of no wonder that we are commanded to bear up with one another in love, since love covers a multitude of sins. Giving love to the co-believers, to your co-partakers of Christ’s glory, is an essential evidence of truly understanding that part of our blessedness in Christ is the belongingness to His community. Therefore, don’t just give love but put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Finally, dear saint, know for sure that when we bear up with one another in love, we are aiming for the excellent way that the apostle of Christ (Particularly referring to Paul here, and the others as well), the one(s) that carries the overflow of His [Christ] very nature – love: If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Again, dear saint, don’t let this depart your mind this day and moving forward: Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
May your heart, dear saint, be truly captivated by this blessedness that you have in Him, and because of Him! May you find yourself, together with the psalmist, acclaiming, bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits! who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Ultimately, the enjoyment of God in Christ is the only joy and happiness with which our souls can be truly and magnificently satisfied.
Desire to know Him more, who has loved you unconditionally and eternally! Thirst and long for Him! Be in awe of Him—the darling of Heaven! He is all yours… He is all-perfect, all-holy, all-glorious!
Hear this then, dear saint: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Christ is all that we have! Christ is all that we need!
Take heart, dear saint!
Reflect
1. Are you living a life worthy of the calling with which you have been called to as a believer of the Lord?
2. Is your life marked by love that bears up for the brothers and sisters?
3. Do you continue to grow in need of His grace?
4. Do you desire and long to love Him more, as you ought to be?
Remember
Every blessing from God and our Father are means to keep us back to our chief end—to glorify God and enjoy Him forever! Live your life therefore for the praise of His glory, and continue to live out your blessedness in Him!
Pray
Father, I come before You, in the name of Your Son, in desperate need of Your grace once more. Bless me with a kind of heart that Your Son has for us, His people, that I may be able to walk in a manner that truly pleases You. Father, may I truly learn the riches of Your love in Him, that I may learn to bear up with Your people in love. Make me bear the fruit of the Spirit, Father, that love will be my nature and therefore natural inclination, according to the likeness of Your Son, my highest blessing, and in whose name I pray. Amen.
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