Topical Bible: Love to God: Exhort One Another To

◄ Love to God: Exhort One Another To ►

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The concept of loving God is central to Christian theology and practice, serving as the greatest commandment and the foundation of a believer's relationship with the Divine. The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of loving God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength. This love is not only a personal commitment but also a communal responsibility, where believers are encouraged to exhort one another to maintain and deepen their love for God.

Biblical Foundation

The call to love God is rooted in the Shema, a traditional Jewish prayer found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." Jesus reiterates this commandment in the New Testament, highlighting its preeminence. In Mark 12:30 , Jesus states, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength."

Exhortation in the Early Church

The early Christian community understood the necessity of mutual encouragement in maintaining their love for God. Hebrews 10:24-25 exhorts believers: "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." This passage underscores the importance of communal gatherings and mutual encouragement in fostering a love for God.

Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in enabling believers to love God and exhort one another. Romans 5:5 declares, "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." The Spirit empowers believers to love God genuinely and to encourage others in their spiritual journey.

Practical Exhortation

Exhorting one another to love God involves various practical actions. Believers are encouraged to engage in regular prayer, study of Scripture, and participation in communal worship. Colossians 3:16 advises, "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." Through these practices, Christians can inspire each other to grow in their love for God.

Challenges and Perseverance

The journey of loving God is not without challenges. Believers may face trials, distractions, and temptations that can weaken their devotion. James 1:12 offers encouragement: "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." Exhorting one another to persevere in love for God is vital in overcoming these challenges.

Community and Accountability

The Christian community serves as a source of accountability and support in loving God. Galatians 6:1-2 instructs, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Through gentle correction and shared burdens, believers can help each other remain steadfast in their love for God.

In summary, the exhortation to love God is a communal endeavor, deeply rooted in Scripture and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Through mutual encouragement, prayer, study, and accountability, believers can inspire one another to fulfill the greatest commandment and maintain a vibrant relationship with God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 31:23
O love the LORD, all you his saints: for the LORD preserves the faithful, and plentifully rewards the proud doer.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Continue in Unity and Love.
... Jesus Christ (praying that I may attain to God), exhort you ... prayer with one another;
for it becomes every one of you ... I entreat you in love to hear me, that I may ...
/.../the epistle of ignatius to the trallians/chapter xii continue in unity and.htm

The Mote and the Beam
... are told to "admonish one another" and "exhort one another" and to ... to love and good
works." The love of Jesus ... humbly to challenge one another, as led by God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 7 the mote and.htm

To the Trallians
... for Jesus Christ's sake, in my desire to get to God, exhort you, "Stay ... It is right
that each one of you and especially the presbyters ... 3Out of love I want you ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/richardson/early christian fathers/to the trallians.htm

"And Truly Our Fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son ...
... I would exhort to study this more,"to have fellowship one with another, as ... ye are
much carnal, and walk as men, and that the love of God and fellowship ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon vii and truly our.htm

Sin.
... 2. Sin is deceiving. "But exhort one another daily, while it ... One picture is that
of a community where all the citizens, old and young, love and fear God. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter iii sin.htm

The Duty of the People of God to Excite Others to Seek this Rest.
... and all lesser business, and "exhort one another daily, while ... Let your exhortation
proceed from compassion and love. ... way to reform men, or convert them to God. ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter ix the duty of.htm

1 Peter iv. 8
... So that the Apostle may exhort the Christians to have a ... another, on this Account;
because this fervent Love of one ... Law, and so acceptable in the Eyes of God. ...
/.../sermon xi 1 peter iv.htm

One Antidote for Many Ills
... his bloody sacrifice offered for your redemption, by the everlasting love of God,
whereby you ... I exhort, I beseech, I entreat you, as your brother in Christ ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/one antidote for many ills.htm

Union and Communion with God the End and Design of the Gospel
... 1, 2 and xlvi.3, 4. And it is that love of God ... will not draw near, "they shall all
perish." "I exhort you to ... most part of you are going away from God, you were ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture ii union and communion.htm

Of the Divine Providence in General.
... HISTORY OF THE GENERATION AND HEAVENLY BIRTH OF DIVINE LOVE. ... And because hereafter,
Theotimus, I shall exhort you to unite your will to God's providence, I ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iii of the divine.htm