That key truth – “God is love” – shapes how we become godly. Some hermits seek God by escaping far from people. Some religions seek holiness by making rules against marriage.4 Some cultures prize individualism, personal rights and privacy. But Christ emphasizes caring relationships. He plants us with others in His family, which is His soil for our spiritual growth. He makes the church5 the context for our character development. In these family relationships we find and practice the all-important lessons of love. If working out relationships seems difficult, realize that God is far more concerned that you learn love than feel comfort. For example, use the assembly to get encouragement, but even more, to give encouragement.6
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near (Hebrews 10:24-25). M
Think of Paul’s picture of changing spiritual clothes. Why “put off” the cloak of lies and take up honesty? “…For we are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:25). Why let peace control your heart? “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body” (Colossians 3:15).7 To live with this King and this family, take off the rough, scratchy material of anger and resentment. Throw away the stinking rags of mean, hurtful attitudes. Put on the clean clothes of humility and patience. Wear the gentle warmth of kindness and forgiveness. Pull all these together with the strongest belt of all, love.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony (Colossians 3:12-14).
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:31-32).
5. Even the word “church” is all about togetherness and community. “Church” means “gathering” or “assembly.” See Study Note Ekklesia in the companion course, The Family of God, if available.
6. 1 Corinthians 14:26 cf. Ephesians 4:15-16,29; 4:25; 5:30; Romans 14:19
7. Fellow-members: Ephesians 2:19; 3:6; Romans 12:5; 1 Corinthians 12:12,24-25