Friday, September 19 Continue loving one another.​—1 John 4:7.

[Áine]

Friday, September 19

Continue loving one another.—1 John 4:7.

 

We all want to “continue loving one another.” However, it is important for us to remember that Jesus warned that “the love of the greater number [would] grow cold.” (Matt. 24:12) Jesus was not saying that this would occur on a large scale among his disciples. Nonetheless, we should remain alert so that we are not influenced by the lack of love in the world around us. With that thought in mind, let us consider this important question: Is there a way to test whether our love for our brothers is strong? One way to determine the strength of our love is to examine how we handle certain situations in life. (2 Cor. 8:8) One such situation is mentioned by the apostle Peter: “Above all things, have intense love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Pet. 4:8) So the weaknesses and imperfections of others can put our love to the test. w23.11 10-11 ¶12-13

[dljbsp]

Love isn’t cotton candy that melts in the rain — it’s a fire that holds when the wind howls. The world’s love freezes, but ours must blaze. Peter said intense love covers sins, like a quilt swallowing sharp edges. So when flaws jab, prove your love is forged hot and heavy — the kind that lasts.