One Love

When you see or hear the words "one love" do you start singing (aloud or in your head) Bob Marley's song, One Love? I do! Listening to it gives me a sense of peace, joy, and comfort. When you look around, even in the church, it often seems there's no "one love" existing. Let's explore some Scripture on the matter...

Key Scriptures: Philippians 1:9, Philippians 2:1-11

Love

“Love is agape, affection or benevolence, and the act or process of such.”

The chorus of Bob Marley's song really signifies much of what Scripture says... "One love, one heart, let's get together and feel alright." We know that we are given a new heart when we repent and believe in Jesus Christ. This new heart is not just any heart. It's actually the heart of God. And we also know that God is love. So why in the world do we seem to be other than one in love, if there is one God and his heart is that of love? Is God in conflict with Himself? Of course not!

More Love

"And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;" (Philippians 1:9 KJV)

When we read Philippians 1:9, we get the idea that our love grows. Why would Paul pray for our love to "abound yet more and more" if it didn't grow? As with anything and anyone, our growth is dependent on the time and attention we give it. So when you look at the people around you, just know that whatever they are giving their time and attention to, is where they are growing. For some it may be love. But for many it is not.

The Word continues in Paul's letter "that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;" The root word for knowledge in the Greek text is epiginosko, "to become fully acquainted with." Judgment in the Greek text is aisthesis, "perception, discernment." So you see that it's in full acquaintance and discernment that our love may abound. And I firmly believe that if we spend our time becoming fully acquainted with God's Word, our perception is fine tuned, and our love will abound more and more!

One Love

“If there be any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels of mercies, fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." (Philippians 2:1-2 KJV)

We see that our love is growing according to each one's pace. So how do we accomplish this "one love" idea? Jesus Christ is truly the only way! Where Jesus is, on the totem pole of our life, affects our oneness in love. For where Jesus is Lord, there is oneness. Where Jesus is 2nd, 3rd, or 4th in authority, there is no oneness. To "be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind," is to be one in who Jesus is in our life. I'm not talking about who we say Jesus is. I'm talking about how we live as Jesus is.

Helps & Hindrances

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.” (Philippians 2:3-4 KJV)

Is there hope for "one love?" Certainly! God is so good to give us practical ways throughout the Scriptures to guide us. As written in Philippians, we learn ways that hinder us and ways that help us. Think about it. How much love could possibly be manifested when we do things through opposition or when we do things boastfully? When we are looking to our own things with priority, an inward love is more likely to be perceived than an outward love for others. In contrast, when we walk humbly, valuing others above ourselves, it speaks love. And when we place the needs of others as important as our needs, we speak amazing love.

Perfect Love, Perfect Glory

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:" (Philippians 2:5 KJV)

"And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:11 KJV)

There is no greater love than the greatest example of the perfect love of Jesus Christ. His act of love for us through death on the cross, so that we may live for all eternity, is nothing short of amazing! His love for me, performed in such a way, is enough to compel me to abound in love. May your love too abound more and more, to the glory of God!