Big Idea: We are commanded to love one another in the same way Christ loves us but the ability to do so does not come from our own strength
1. The ____________ of Our Souls.
1 Peter 1:22 (ESV) — 22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
Romans 1:3-5, 16:25-26
Hagnizó (hag-nee-zo) = to make ________ or to ____________
1 Peter 1:22 (YLT) — Your souls having purified in the obedience of the truth through the Spirit to brotherly love unfeigned, out of a pure heart one another love ye earnestly,
2. The __________ of the Word.
1 Peter 1:23-25 (ESV) — 23 since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, 25 but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
Matthew 24:35, Isaiah 55:11
In a very practical way, it is also through the revealed Word of God in the Scriptures that we learn what it looks like to love one another properly. Although the Spirit transforms us to do this, we still need to be taught and reminded because of our flesh.
Psalm 119:105, 2 Timothy 3:16-17
3. The __________ of Brotherly Love.
1 Peter 1:22 (ESV) — 22 Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
Two types of love mentioned: Phileo = loyal, strong love between close friends, Agape = selfless, sacrificial, seeking the greatest possible good for its object, choosing what God prefers
1 John 4:7-11
In Christ, we see love in its truest form.
Five aspects of Christian love:
1. Sincere
2. Strenuous
3. Seeking to restore
4. Soft-hearted
5. Servant-minded
Questions to Consider
– In what ways do you fall short of the love we are called to us brothers and sisters in Christ? How can you specifically grow in these areas?
– How does it affect you to know that your salvation purified you? How have you seen your love for God’s people grow since salvation?
– How does it comfort you to know that your love for others is empowered by the Word of God?
– What is one way that you can better love your brothers and sisters in Christ this week? Will you commit to doing it by the grace of God?
