Why we need to love one another

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One of the things I don't like about christianity/messianism is that it seems to so individualistic. It is made to seem that it is all just between us and God, and it is practiced like this by many. The bible itself even seems to support this position like for example the Psalmist saying how he is all alone and not one cares and God is his only hope. However, although it is true that the bible places the most weight on ones personal faith-relationship with God, it also does actually place a certain amount of importance in relationships with others. Here are some bible verses which seem to us to support this view:

"a new commandment I give you ... that you love one another" John 15:12.

"as you did to the least of these so you did to me"

"pure religion is to take care of widows and fatherless, and to keep unspoted from the world" James 1:27.

"love your neighbour as yourself"

"do unto others as you would have done to you"

"pity the one who falls and has no one to help them up"

"two are better than one" "two can keep warm"

"a 3-fold cord is not easily broken"

Philadelphia "brotherly love" Revelation 3:7.

The Good Samaritan.

"not forsaking the gathering together as some do"

"bear one anothers burdens"

Jesus sent the 12 and the 70/72 disciples out in pairs.

"it is not good for man to be alone" Genesis 2:18.

"is anyone ill? Let him/her call the elders of the church to pray over him/her" James 5:14

"confess your sins to each other and pray for each other" James 5:16

"the prayer of a righteous man/woman is powerful and effective" James 5:16 (though it doesn't indicate whether some one else's or ones own prayers)

"be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins" 1 Peter 4:8

"love casts out fear"

"let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins" James 5:20

"as iron sharpens iron"

God judged all 3, Adam, Eve, the Serpent, not just one or two. Genesis 3:14-19.

Job's comforters.

"those who have two cloaks give to them who have none"

"Am I my brother's keeper?"

"As arrows in the hand of a mighty man, so are the children of youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them. They won't be disappointed when they speak with their enemies in the gate." Psalm 127:4.

"For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don't have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us" 12:4.

"For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot would say, "Because I'm not the hand, I'm not part of the body," it is not therefore not part of the body. If the ear would say, "Because I'm not the eye, I'm not part of the body," it's not therefore not part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now they are many members, but one body. The eye can't tell the hand, "I have no need for you," or again the head to the feet, "I have no need for you." No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, on those we bestow more abundant honor; and our unpresentable parts have more abundant propriety; whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part, that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or when one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret?" 12:14.

"the head, Christ; from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together through that which every joint supplies, according to the working in measure of each individual part, makes the body increase to the building up of itself in love." 4:16.

"you do not realize that you are wretched, poor, blind and naked" Revelation 3:17 (I believe that another layer of meaning to this verse is that there are poor blind and naked people in their community/country)

"I stand at the door and knock" Revelation 3:20 (Some say this means "Jesus is on the outside". I think that another layer of meaning is that suffering people are also on the outside.)

Some supporting extra-biblical quotes from world history include:

"he/she who saves a soul saves a whole world/universe" - Hillel the Elder.

"Whosoever shall have lived wickedly and luxuriously may repent; however, there will be need of much time to conquer an evil habit, and even after repentance his whole life must be guarded with great care and diligence, after the manner of a body, which, after it hath been a long time afflicted with a distemper, requires a stricter diet and method of living; for though it may be possible, perhaps, to break off the chain of our irregular affections at once, yet our amendment cannot be secured without the grace of God, the prayers of good men, the help of the brethren, and our own sincere repentance and constant care." F Josephus, Discourse to the Greeks Concerning Hades.

"man is a social animal"

"Christmas? What about (people not caring) the other 364 days of the year?" - my father.

"the one who looks after a widow or a poor person is like a fighter (same rootword as jihad?) who fights for Allah's cause". - Footnote in Koran.

"We have another, equally important source of atonement, the practice of gemilut hasadim (loving kindness), as it is stated 'I desire loving kindness and not sacrifice'." - Rabban Yochanan.

"divide and conquer" "unity is strength"

They found a diary of an old lady who died, and in the diary they found it full of pages with the words "no one came today".

Where would all the politicians etc be without the people who make all the clothes and drive the cars and many other jobs?

We have 4 enemies: the Devil, the world/others, self, and "nature". We have 4 helps: God, others, self, and nature.

It is interesting that in these modern times of everyone so eager for globalist oneness that there are so many people suffering loneliness and socio-economic divisions. Its shocking how little people care about the homeless in NZ & Australia & US & UK, and many other wrongs.

One of the reasons why it is hard to believe is not only because God doesn't seem to answer us and other christians, but also because christians don't care or love. (Interestingly I was researching the Holy Sepulchre and found source saying how there have been many brawls and fights between persons of different christian sects at that site. That is surely an indication that something is wrong with the site and with the "christians". Others would surely see that as confirmation of their negative views of christianity/messianism, while Jesus said to love one another and that "by this all will know you are my followers".)

People often say "don't surround yourself with negative people", and they meanly cut off "negative" people. But does anyone stop to consider what it is like to have no friends or family or christians? How hard it is to be surrounded by only all negatives and no positives. We all need friends and family or christians or community. A little positive can make a huge difference. Encouragement helps. During covid there have been claims about how hard the lockdowns have been on some peoples mental health. But some of us have suffered equal and worse for years and people don't consider it bad and instead blame us.

There is nothing worse than being all alone in a world full of cold selfish strangers. There is no community. Even having to look up the phone book for trades people etc they are all strangers, and you surely know the contrast when you know friend or christian who is a tradesperson.

One other thing. Another problem is that people might admit that fellowship and "not doing it alone" are important but they still put the onerous on the person to go and seek out the fellowship. Some people are not able to, so the fellowship needs to come to them. Also, "church" is not just the sunday large gathering idea. Church is anywhere two or three/more are gathered in his name.

So in summary I hope we all can see that loving one another is somewhat important. Though of course it is only 2nd and should not be put before the First Love or love the lord.
And of course we can only be one with each other through being one with Him, which is the subject of another post.

(However there is one difficulty, I have found that the Romans have been behind-the-scenes tricking leaders and lay christians into believing the pope has Peter's keys/authority, plus they have infiltrated churches (eg "Rome sent out alot of Jesuits as fake church pastors"), and there are also alot of Roman false-christian beliefs permeating christianity, so I find it very hard to know who is a true christian and who is or is not in league with them which makes being involved with christian fellowship groups and organizations difficult.)

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Mosheli
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