What does "taught by God to love one another" mean for believers today? Grasping Paul’s Statement “Now about brotherly love, you do not need anyone to write to you, because you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.” (1 Thessalonians 4:9) Paul isn’t introducing a new command; he’s pointing to something believers have already received directly from God. This phrase carries three key ideas: • God Himself is the instructor. • The curriculum is love. • The classroom is everyday life in the church. God the Teacher • From the moment we are born again, the Holy Spirit indwells us (Romans 5:5), pouring God’s love into our hearts. • Isaiah 54:13 foretells, “All your children will be taught by the LORD.” That prophecy finds fulfillment as the Spirit illuminates Christ’s example and Scripture’s commands. • Jeremiah 31:33‐34 affirms the same covenant reality: God writes His law on our hearts so that we “will all know Me.” Love’s Content: Brotherly Affection and Sacrificial Action Paul uses philadelphia—family love among siblings. For believers today, that means: 1. Warm, tangible care for fellow believers (Galatians 6:10). 2. Readiness to meet material needs (1 John 3:17). 3. Relational patience and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32). 4. A commitment to unity despite personal differences (Colossians 3:14). How God Continues Teaching Us • Scripture: Every command to love—whether John 13:34 (“love one another as I have loved you”) or Romans 13:8 (“owe no one anything except to love one another”)—reinforces the same lesson. • Spirit: He convicts when we harbor bitterness, nudges us toward generosity, and empowers obedience (Galatians 5:22). • Saints: God uses other believers’ examples to sharpen us (Hebrews 10:24). Practical Outworking Today Daily expressions of being “taught by God” include: • Speak words that build up, not tear down (Ephesians 4:29). • Show hospitality without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9). • Bear one another’s burdens—practical help, not mere sentiment (Galatians 6:2). • Serve in local church ministries, viewing every task as a love‐filled offering (1 Corinthians 16:14). • Pursue reconciliation quickly; love cannot flourish while grudges linger (Matthew 5:23‐24). Why This Matters • Authentic witness: “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples” (John 13:35). • Spiritual assurance: Loving others confirms our new birth (1 John 3:14). • Kingdom advance: Unity and care among believers display God’s wisdom to the world and to heavenly realms (Ephesians 3:10). Living the Lesson Since God is still the Teacher, our role is simple: • Listen—stay in the Word, remain sensitive to the Spirit. • Learn—embrace correction, observe godly examples. • Love—translate divine instruction into visible, sacrificial deeds every single day. |
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