Loving Others

by Jon Hathorn on November 10, 2023

“Admonish one another” Romans 15:14

Sometimes we hear the phrase “I love you” and it is really because of something we have done. This is the love of the world. We have made them feel good. And we feel good helping them feel good. We have blessed them with a feeling or an accomplishment of some kind; therefore, we are appreciative of the result of being gifted something.

I John chapter 2 says, “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world” 1 John 2:15-16 NLT.

The love of the world is what most people desire. Why, because of a temporary feeling that tingles. We are very in tune with our feelings and our emotions - and have allowed the powerful sense of a wavering feeling control our satisfaction.

I remember a hymn that meant a great deal to me entitled “I’d Rather Have Jesus.”

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold
I'd rather be His than have riches untold
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin's dread sway
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today

I'd rather have Jesus than worldly applause
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame
Yes, I'd rather be true to His holy name

Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin's dread sway
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today

These words speak of the lasting depth of the Lord's love and the security of knowing Him. It doesn’t waver and it doesn’t falter - it remains steadfast and a stronghold.

Our commitment to others needs to be reflective of the love that God has for us. Over 50 times in the Word of God there is an emphasis on “one another,” and these references speak to the constant love we should have with others. Here a few examples:

Encourage one another

Greet one another

Pray for one another

Be devoted to one another

Honor one another

Bear with one another

These are all seen in Jesus. May they be seen in us as well.

About the Author

Jon Hathorn

As I child, I really wanted God to like me and I feared that I wasn't good enough for Him. During high school, I attended church camp. It was there that I realized I was sinner in need of God's grace. I prayed to God, admitting my sin, accepting His death on the cross for my sin, and asking Him to guide my life. I have lived here in Stockton all my life graduating from Delta and UOP, and eventually getting a Master's in Bible and Theology. It was during a mission trip that I met Bev, who became my wife, Our two daughters were born right here in Stockton. I have served the Lord locally in a couple of churches and as a high school Bible Teacher. I love encouraging other people, sharing the Word of God, watching sports, eating Mexican food and spaghetti, spending time with our family and going on walks with our grandson. Philippians 1:6 is the prayer of my life and it says, "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ."