Loving One Another Fervently (1:22)

                      "THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PETER"

                  Loving One Another Fervently (1 Pe 1:22)

INTRODUCTION

1. In our last study, we saw that "Proper Conduct As Obedient Children"
   means:
   a. Not to conform ourselves to the former lusts - 1 Pe 1:14 
   b. To be holy in all our conduct - 1 Pe 1:15-16 
   c. To conduct ourselves in fear - 1 Pe 1:17-21 

2. Another responsibility we have as obedient children is found in
   verse 22...
   a. Simply stated, we are to "love one another fervently".
   b. A closer look at verse 22 reveals:
      1) What "fervent love" is
      2) How it is possible for Christians to "love one another
         fervently"

[But before we take that closer look, consider this question...]

I. WHY IS "FERVENT LOVE" IMPORTANT?

   A. IT IS A DEMONSTRATION OF DISCIPLESHIP...
      1. While Judas had gone to betray Him, Jesus gave a new
         commandment - Jn 13:33-35 
      2. It is a commandment to love one another, even as Jesus loved
         us
      3. The reason for such a commandment: to convince the world that
         we are truly His disciples!
      4. Where there is no "Christ-like love", our actions betray our
         words
         a. We may profess to be Christ's disciples...
         b. But failure to have a fervent love like Christ had for us
            will cause the world to doubt our discipleship!

   B. IT IS A DEMONSTRATION OF SPIRITUAL LIFE...
      1. "Love of the brethren" is an indication that we have passed
         from spiritual death to spiritual life - 1 Jn 3:14 
      2. Failure to love the brethren is an indication that we are
         still spiritually dead!

   C. IT IS A DEMONSTRATION OF OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD...
      1. God is love, and those who truly love have been born of God
         - 1 Jn 4:7 
      2. Failure to love leaves the impression that we have not been
         born again and that we do not truly know God! - 1 Jn 4:8 

[Certainly these three reasons should convince us that "loving one
another fervently" is important.

But what qualifies as a "fervent love"?  What kind of love will
demonstrate our discipleship, our spiritual life, our relationship with
God?]

II. WHAT IS "FERVENT LOVE"?

   A. CLEARLY, IT IS CONTINUOUS...
      1. "Fervent" is used in reference to prayer in Ac 12:5 
         a. In Acts 12:5 it is translated "constant" or "earnest"
         b. Just as the disciples were constantly praying for the
            release of Peter, so our love for one another is to be
            "unceasing"
      2. Therefore, only that love which is constant and earnest can
         qualify as "fervent love"

   B. IT MUST ALSO BE SINCERE...
      1. Translated "unfeigned" in some versions
      2. The Greek word literally means "not hypocritical"
      3. This makes it clear that "fervent love" is not to be some kind
         of show, but coming from the heart - cf. Ro 12:9 

   C. FINALLY, IT MUST ALSO BE PURE...
      1. Love for the brethren must always be kept in the context of
         moral purity
      2. Under no circumstances is our love to be a cover for sexual
         immorality - Ep 5:2-3 
      3. Pure, sincere, fervent love, then, is one that emulates
         Christ's love, i.e., a sacrificial love!

[How do we measure up to this type of love?  Do we have a pure and
sincere love for one another?  Does the word "fervent" accurately
describe our feelings and actions toward each other?

If our only contact with one another is a weekly assembly, and if we
are not opening our hearts and our homes to one another, can it be said
that we love one another fervently?  Brethren, think upon these things!

Finally...]

III. HOW IS "FERVENT LOVE" POSSIBLE?

   A. IT IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE OUR SOULS HAVE BEEN PURIFIED...
      1. By obeying the Truth we have been forgiven - 1 Pe 1:22;
         cf. Ac 2:38 
      2. By continuing to heed the Truth, we are taught to be pure
         - cf. Ep 4:20-24 
      3. Therefore we can be fervent in our love, for it will be a pure
         love

   B. IT IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN "BORN AGAIN"
      1. Born again by the incorruptible word of God! - cf. 1 Pe 1:23 
      2. How does being born again by the Word of God prepare us to
         love one another fervently?
         a. By the Word of God we come to know what true love really is
         b. For the Word of God tells us of:
            1) The love of Jesus - 1 Jn 3:16-18 
            2) The love of God - 1 Jn 4:9-10 

   C. IN OTHER WORDS...
      1. We CAN have this fervent love because we have been purified
         and understand the need for a sincere, pure love for the
         brethren
      2. We WILL have this fervent love, because the love of Jesus and
         God motivates us!

CONCLUSION

1. If we fail to "love one another fervently" with sincerity and
   purity, it is an indication that we either:
   a. Have never been purified, born again
   b. Or are not allowing the love of God and Jesus to motivate us

2. Furthermore, failure to love one another fervently presents a
   picture to the world which belies our claim to:
   a. Be true disciples of Christ
   b. Possess spiritual life
   c. Have a relationship with God as our heavenly Father

3. Perhaps this is the reason Peter exhorts us to love one another
   fervently, not only here in verse 22, but also in 1 Pe 4:8

4. In view of these truths found in God's Word, how are we doing in our
   love for one another?
   a. Even if we excel in this department, there is room for
      improvement - cf. 1 Th 4:9-10 
   b. In the days ahead, think of how you can be more fervent in your
      love for the brethren
   c. Don't just think, ACT!  Open your hearts and homes to each other!

If you are not a Christian, we want you to enjoy the blessings of God's
love and the love of His children.  But these blessings are only for
those who have purified themselves by obeying the Truth!

Why not do so today?
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