"If ye love Me, keep My commandments."
John 14:15

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength;' this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this: `Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
Mark 12:30-31

"As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you. Continue ye in My love. If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love, even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. "This is My commandment: that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are My friends if ye do whatsoever I command you. . .These things I command you, that ye love one another.

"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you: `The servant is not greater than his lord.' If they have persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept My saying, they will keep yours also.

But all these things will they do unto you for My name's sake, because they know not Him that sent Me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they would not have sin, but now they have no cloak for their sin. He that hateth Me hateth My Father also. If I had not done among them the works which no other man did, they would not have had sin; but now they have both seen and hated both Me and My Father. But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law: `They hated Me without a cause.'
John 15:9-14, 17-25

Owe no man anything, but to love one another, for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, "Thou shalt not commit adultery," "Thou shalt not kill," "Thou shalt not steal," "Thou shalt not bear false witness," "Thou shalt not covet," and if there be any other commandment, all are briefly comprehended in this saying, namely: "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Romans 13:8-10

I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forthcoming of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.
2 Corinthians 8:8

And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. And he that keepeth His commandments dwelleth in Him, and He in him. And hereby we know that He abideth in us: by the Spirit which He hath given us.
1 John 3:23-24

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and every one that loveth is born of God and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us: that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love: not that we 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 ought also to love one another. . .And we have known and believed the love that God hath for us. God is love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love Him, because He first loved us. If a man say, "I love God," and hateth his brother, he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loveth God love his brother also.
1 John 4:7-11, 16-21

By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God: that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not grievous.
1 John 5:2-3

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13 (NIV)

And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning: that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
2 John 1:5-6

What are you giving in exchange for your soul?

by Dre | 09 March 2009

Further Reading: One Another

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26

For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mark 8:35-37

Many say with their mouths that they love Jesus, but they are living with another they are not married to, they are having intimate relationships with another they are not married to, they murder people they do not like within their own minds and curse them by wishing ill things upon them, they desire what others have by going to any means to gain what they want, they lie and betray the righteous for their own gain.

Many say with their mouths that they love Jesus, but their love is shallow and self-seeking. When a friend is persecuted and torn, God's commandments, the great commission are all forgotten. Fear sets in just as the disciples denied Christ when He was crucified. (Matthew 26:75) When they see another in need of food, clothing or shelter, they turn away unwilling to make any sacrifice to help another even out of one's own need. Many are unwilling to sacrifice out of their own need or to give anything to others that takes away from themselves - they abort the child who was in their way, they abort the friend who was down and out. (James 2:15-20)

Many say with their mouths that they love Jesus, but in their hearts they love themselves more - competing with others with the clothes they wear, the cars they drive, the positions they hold, the people they befriend for name's sake only.

Many say with their mouths that they love Jesus, but in the same breath they speak falsely of others - gossiping, slandering, bad mouthing, belittling unkind words.

People who go around in life always speaking poorly of others, fabricating stories to hurt others, harassing others, causing strife and division, and creating groups to support your unrighteous efforts in order to gang up on people you want out of your way, you are insecure, bitter, jealous people with massive pent-up personal issues going on that you take out on innocent people. These issues you keep holding inside gives Satan a foothold into your lives and into your bodies for demon possession. God has a message to those of you who do these abominations.

Much is said in the bible about those who gossip, lie, hate their brother and do evil against others.

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. Romans 1:28-32 (NIV)

Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening. For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder. I am afraid that when I come again my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual sin and debauchery in which they have indulged. 2 Corinthians 12:19-21 (NIV)

Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan. 1 Timothy 5:12-15 (NIV)

I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.

Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 3 John 1:9-11 (NIV)

Woe to him who says he is a Christian - a follower of Jesus Christ knowing not to do these things and does them anyway.

Woe to you who worship your church building and preacher. How many of you ever read your bible and allow God to teach you the interpretation of it instead of following what your preacher or someone else tells you? God is more likely to teach you and speak to you through your own study and time spent alone with Him. A personal a relationship with Jesus Christ is a personal thing, not a "show." It has nothing to do with how many times you make it into a church building or how good of an act you can put on for your friends. Preachers are not "celebrities." Church is not a place to show off your designer clothing. God could careless how well-known you think you are or how much you paid for your clothes. God is looking for people who follow his commandments and desire to be like His son Jesus.

When the bible says to assemble ourselves together, it means anywhere.....................not solely to a specific building. The true definition of "church" refers to people - specifically followers of Jesus Christ, NOT A BUILDING or structure.

Woe to him who says he has love in his heart but hates his brother. "A new commandment I give unto you: that ye love one another, as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are My disciples: if ye have love one for another." John 13:34-35

The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:7-11 (NIV)

If a person approaches you with gossip, you should turn away from him. If he continues to approach you, this is not the time to act like a mouse and hide. It is time to get bold as a lion - use your boldness through Jesus to stand up for righteousness and send the devil off with his tail between his legs. Truth should be spoken in boldness and with love. By doing this, others will see Jesus in us.

If you witness a fellow Christian involved in wrong doing, according to Matthew 18:15-17 says to:

[First] "Moreover, if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone. If he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

[Second] But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that `in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.'

[Third] And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church; but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican.

There is a very good short film which excellently demonstrates this scripture. It is called "The Angel of Sardis." [Written, produced and directed by Fred Holmes]

"Ye have heard that it hath been said, `Thou shalt love thy neighbor and hate thine enemy.' But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father who is in Heaven. For He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

For if ye love them that love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father who is in Heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48

This is the truest test any Christian can have. That which God brings about from the one who is willing to humble himself to love and pray for those who publicly persecute, despise and curse him.

To love one another is God's greatest commandment. Love is not a dictator. Love does not say I will love you until...or I will love you 'if' you love me or for as long as you love me. Love has no time limitation. Love does not control another person or manipulate them to do what the controller wants. Love is not an act or a sex act. The one who knows not love, knows not God.

Due to God's law of sowing and reeping, the misfortunates you attempt to sow into others lives in due time will come back on you and often much worse.

Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity and sow wickedness reap the same. Job 4:8

He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity, and the rod of his anger shall fail. Proverbs 22:8

They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns; they have put themselves to pain, but shall not profit; and they shall be ashamed of your produce because of the fierce anger of the LORD. Jeremiah 12:13

The enemy that sowed them is the devil, the harvest is the end of the world, and the reapers are the angels. Matthew 13:39

And shall not God avenge His own elect, who cry day and night unto Him, though He bear long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of Man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?"

And He spoke this parable unto certain ones who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: "Two men went up into the temple to pray, the one a Pharisee and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, `God, I thank Thee that I am not as other men are: extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'

And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, `God, be merciful to me a sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other; for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." Luke 18:7-14

And herein is that saying true, `One soweth and another reapeth.' John 4:37

Be not deceived, God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Galatians 6:7-8

For further reading and study listed to the left are more scriptures referencing the emphasis God placed on loving others.

May God have mercy on your souls.