John 13:34-35 "One Another." On this week's Word of Grace Devotion with Pastor Joe Marquez.

6/15/2015

The Word of Grace Devotion for the Week of June 15, 2015

One Another

John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

“Love one another.” “Bear one another’s burdens.” “Forgive one another.” The New Testament gives us many “one another” instructions: things that we should all do one behalf of our family in Christ.

Beloved, the word for “one another” is two words in English but only one word in Greek (ah-LAY-loan).” That word, (ah-LAY-loan), is used 100 times in 94 verses in the New Testament. Forty-seven of those verses give instructions to followers of Jesus.

One third of those “one another” commands deal with the church getting along, or unity. For example we are to be at peace with one another (Mark 9:50) and be kind, tender hearted and forgiving of one another (Ephesians 4:32).

Another third of these “one another” commands tell us to love one another. The verses in John 13:34-35 are prime examples of the attitude we are to have for one another.

Fifteen percent of those “one another” commands deal with humility. For example we are to wash one another’s feet (John 13:14), and serve one another (Galatians 5:13).

The remaining “one another” verses deal with various other issues such as praying for one another (James 5:16) and being hospitable to one another 1 Peter 4:9.

I say all this because yesterday was one of those days that we needed one another to step up. I was thankful that as I was serving the folks at Calvary Chapel of the Springs, Pastor Mike Rios was able to step in for me at Grace CC. Others were able to love and serve one another through various facets such as worship, children’s ministry and such.

Beloved, you have often heard it said that family is important. They are important. Concerning who they are Jesus said it this way in Luke 8:19-21, “Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd. 20And he was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see you.” 21But he answered them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

Beloved, we will be spending an eternity (literally) with our family in Christ. Should we not treat family as family and love one another?!

I pray that you will have a blessed week! I love you and I will be praying for you!

In Christ,

Pastor Joe

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Senior Pastor
Joe Marquez

Beloved, we are soon to once again celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the human Son of man and the divine Son of God. He is one hundred percent human and one hundred percent God.

While there were many people instrumental in the birth of Christ, this morning we will look at His birth through the eyes of Joseph, His legal father. There is not too much known about the man who would care for Christ as He grew up. We know that Joseph was possibly a carpenter but most importantly we know that he was a righteous man who did the right thing.

When others would have ran away from a responsibility that was not even their own, Joseph stood steadfast and remained faithful to the end. We can learn much from his character and apply his attributes of faithfulness, purity, and perseverance to our own lives.

May you have a Blessed Christmas week and may Christ always be at the center of your lives!

P.S. Come back this evening as we look at the birth of Christ through the Gospel of Luke!