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Written by Brenda Davis, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas
“Above all, love each other deeply.” (1 Pe. 4:8a NIV)
God did not create us to go through life alone. I am blessed to be surrounded by people that I love and by those who love me. God’s Word is filled with reminders that we need to love each other. Jesus spoke plainly about how we are to love. “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (Jn. 15:12).
But is simply loving enough? Paul tells the Romans that they need to “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Ro. 12:10 ESV). I love this concept. Imagine how the world would be if everyone tried to outdo one another in showing honor? Peter also goes above and beyond encouraging us to love when he says we need to love each other deeply.
This deep love is demonstrated in the relationship between Paul and Onesimus. The two became such close friends that Paul refers to Onesimus as “my very heart” (Phm. 1:12). Another touching story of this kind of love is that of David and Jonathan found in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. Their relationship was built on loyalty, trust, and love so deep that Jonathan even risked his life to protect David from his father's anger.
If you Google “How to deepen your spiritual relationships” you will get about 293,000,000 results! Thankfully, the Scriptures provide ample guidance for how to develop this deeper kind of love.
Begin by focusing your relationships on things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Php. 4:8). As 1 Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Encourage one another and build one another up.”
Here are three additional suggestions for developing deeper love in our relationships.
Stay in the Word Together
Deep relationships are based on Biblical truths. When we are not digging into the Scriptures to see how to love deeply, it’s hard to build a relationship based on truth and honesty. But when we let the Scriptures guide us, our relationships will grow and reach maturity, as Paul states in Ephesians 4:15 (NIV). "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”
Have Deeper Conversations
Conversation with someone we love should edify us and “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24b). But we often spend entire conversations talking about our children, current events, and social activities, ignoring opportunities to dig deep into each other’s life instead of sharing our stories, struggles, and dreams.
To go deep, these conversations often mean delving into difficult areas, and we may be presented with some hard truths. Messy conversations are part of spiritual growth, and the more truthful we are, the messier and more painful it can be. But “wounds from a friend can be trusted” (Pr. 27:6a). Depth takes courage!
When you love someone deeply, it's almost like there's nothing you can't share with them. You can tell them how you truly feel, knowing that you will not betray each other’s trust. "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret" (Pr. 11:13). You know they won't judge you, and when you experience this lack of judgment, you'll feel safe and secure.
In addition, you can bring up touchy subjects with them because you know that you can be open and honest. Are you an honest friend? Do you only tell those you love what they need to hear, or is it more important that they like you? When we love deeply, we tell them the truth when we see them going the wrong way, even if it may hurt at first.
Listen
At times, you can communicate more with just your presence than with words. Deep love means giving focused attention without interrupting. Maintaining eye contact and actively listening to what the other person has to say and responding with sincere facial expression and body language sends a strong message of love.
James exhorts us to be “quick to listen,” and “slow to speak” (Jas. 1:19-20). In Proverbs 18:2 we read, “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion” (ESV). So, Paul says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Php. 2:3-5).
Dear sisters, love deeply! “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you” (1 Th. 3:12).
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Written by Johanna Zabala, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Venezuela
Hope is an important part of the richness of the human heart, as it prepares us for the spiritual fruits of patience, faith, and peace. This means that, when thinking about hope, it ties us to faith and the love of God which are preciously linked.
When I think about hope, I feel like God’s heir through the firm conviction that there is eternal life (Tit. 3:7). This motivates me, through the Holy Spirit, to overcome difficulties and all kinds of obstacles that arise in this earthly life, thus living out total consecration to God.
Daily, we observe a society in turmoil due to so much evil, suffering, adversity, and problems. I believe this has caused many people to lose hope, not recognizing true hope in the Author of salvation, Jesus Christ (Heb. 12:2).
With this in mind, I would like to share an example of the current situation that we live in my country, Venezuela. Day after day, people suffer from the economic crisis: lack of sources for work, electricitye rationing by the State (between 2 to 4 hours a day), lack of basic food in many homes, including Christian homes. There are health care centers in poor condition, declines in the educational system, deterioration and lack of attention in various State institutions, and repression and persecution of anyone who opposes the government system.
Each of these situations has forged in us the spiritual character and the understanding that we should not put our trust in a political system or an earthly power, nor in the things we see or surround us since if we do, we will lose out conviction and hope of how real the promise of eternal life is. This situation has strengthened my spiritual life as a daughter of the Most High God, by trusting in His will at all times and having that intimate relationship with Him through prayer and study of His Word, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide me to live in the spiritual and to do the will of God, with the peace and quietness of spirit that only He can give me (Rom. 5:1-5).
I should not put my hope in the things of this world (1 Co. 15:19). In my opinion, hope is certainty in the present and a firm expectation for the future, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ. It is for this reason that I emphasize lovingly bringing the hope of eternal life to everyone who is hopeless, and preaching to them the glorious gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of their soul.
When I begin to experience and understand God's plan and purpose in my life, I develop a deep relationship with Christ. I trust in His will, and I begin to take firm steps even in the midst of storms, for we were called to one hope (Eph. 1:18). Beloved sisters, we must understand that hope is a bond and an essential element that allows for a spiritual transformation, strengthens our faith, and gives us security and confidence in the power of God.
I encourage you not to lose hope because it brings spiritual blessings to our lives and the lives of our families, reflected in the following ways:
1. It leads us to praise and glorify God.
2. It causes us joy and rejoicing.
3. It renews us day by day.
4. It inspires us to live a life of holiness.
5. It inspires us to persevere.
6. It inspires us with security and firmness.
7. It inspires us with peace and tranquility.
Considering each of these aspects, we must not risk losing these blessings but rather live in holiness and obedience to please our God, longing in anticipation for His glorious coming, which is the foundation of our faith and hope.
Currently, as daughters of God, every first day of the week in each of our congregations, we announce the long-awaited coming of our Savior Jesus Christ through the worship service when we participate in the memorial of the Lord's Supper, which the apostle Paul speaks of in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, especially in verse 26, where he mentions that we wait, anticipate, and announce His coming or return. So, do you joyfully await the return of our Lord Jesus Christ?