GREET ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE

GREET ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Corinthians 13:12

Key Verse: “Greet one another with an holy kiss.” — 2 Corinthians 13:12

Supporting Texts: Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 1 Peter 5:14; John 13:34-35; Romans 12:10; Philippians 2:3-4; Ephesians 4:1-3; Hebrews 13:1-2

Description: Greeting one another in love is an expression of Christian fellowship, acceptance, honour, affection, and unity that demonstrates the love of Christ in practical relationships.

INTRODUCTION

Paul's instruction to the Corinthian believers to “greet one another with an holy kiss” was more than a cultural greeting. It expressed genuine Christian affection, fellowship, acceptance, and unity. The church was being called to demonstrate that believers who belong to Christ should not live as strangers, enemies, or isolated individuals.

Christianity is not merely a private relationship with God; it also creates a family of believers. We are called to love one another, honour one another, encourage one another, and receive one another. A simple greeting can communicate acceptance, respect, warmth, and genuine concern.

In a world where many people feel ignored, rejected, and forgotten, the church should be a place where people experience the love of Christ. We must therefore learn to greet one another sincerely, welcome one another warmly, and treat every believer with dignity. Our relationships should reflect the love that we have received from Christ.

1. UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

God designed believers to live and relate together as one spiritual family.

a. We Are Members Of One Body (Romans 12:4-5) — Believers have different functions, but they belong to one body in Christ.

b. Fellowship Strengthens Believers (Hebrews 10:24-25) — Christian fellowship provides opportunities for encouragement, love, and spiritual growth.

c. God Desires His People To Dwell In Unity (Psalm 133:1) — Unity among believers is both good and pleasant before God.

d. Fellowship Reflects Christ's Love (John 13:35) — The love believers demonstrate toward one another becomes a testimony to the world.

Biblical Example: The early church continually gathered together for fellowship, prayer, teaching, and breaking of bread (Acts 2:42-47).

2. GREET PEOPLE WITH GENUINE LOVE

A Christian greeting should come from a sincere heart rather than mere religious formality.

a. Love One Another Sincerely (1 Peter 1:22) — Christian love must be genuine and come from a purified heart.

b. Show Affection To God's People (Romans 12:10) — Believers are called to demonstrate brotherly affection and honour one another.

c. Let Love Be Without Hypocrisy (Romans 12:9) — Our outward expressions should agree with what is genuinely in our hearts.

d. Let Christ's Love Control Your Relationships (2 Corinthians 5:14) — The love of Christ should influence how we treat people.

Biblical Example: Jesus welcomed children, embraced people who were often overlooked, and demonstrated compassion toward those who came to Him (Mark 10:13-16).

3. MAKE PEOPLE FEEL WELCOME

A simple greeting can open the door to meaningful fellowship and make people feel accepted.

a. Receive One Another (Romans 15:7) — Believers should receive others as Christ has received them, bringing glory to God.

b. Practise Hospitality (1 Peter 4:9) — Christians should welcome others without complaining or resentment.

c. Do Not Show Partiality (James 2:1-4) — God's people must not treat people differently because of appearance, wealth, status, or social position.

d. Remember The Stranger (Hebrews 13:2) — Scripture encourages believers to show hospitality because we may bless people without knowing the full significance of the encounter.

Biblical Example: Lydia welcomed Paul and his companions into her home after believing the gospel, demonstrating the practical expression of Christian hospitality (Acts 16:14-15).

4. HONOUR ONE ANOTHER

Greeting people in love is connected to the biblical principle of honour.

a. Give Honour To Whom It Is Due (Romans 13:7) — Believers should treat people with appropriate respect and honour.

b. Esteem Others (Philippians 2:3) — Humility teaches us to value others rather than constantly seeking personal recognition.

c. Honour Spiritual Leaders (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13) — Those who labour in spiritual leadership should be respected and appreciated.

d. Honour All People (1 Peter 2:17) — Christian character requires us to treat every person with dignity.

Biblical Example: David honoured Saul despite Saul's opposition to him and refused to take advantage of opportunities to destroy him (1 Samuel 24:4-7).

5. DO NOT ALLOW OFFENCES TO DESTROY FELLOWSHIP

Unresolved offences can cause believers to withdraw from one another and destroy the warmth of Christian fellowship.

a. Forgive One Another (Colossians 3:13) — Believers must forgive as the Lord has forgiven them.

b. Remove Bitterness (Ephesians 4:31-32) — Bitterness and malice must be replaced with kindness, compassion, and forgiveness.

c. Pursue Reconciliation (Matthew 5:23-24) — Jesus teaches believers to take reconciliation seriously when relationships have been damaged.

d. Seek Peace (Romans 12:18) — Christians should make every reasonable effort to live peacefully with others.

Biblical Example: Joseph chose forgiveness and reconciliation with his brothers instead of allowing their past offence to destroy their relationship (Genesis 50:15-21).

6. USE YOUR GREETING TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS

Our words and simple expressions of kindness can strengthen people who are carrying hidden burdens.

a. Encourage One Another (1 Thessalonians 5:11) — Believers are called to build each other up rather than tear each other down.

b. Speak Words That Minister Grace (Ephesians 4:29) — Our speech should provide encouragement and blessing to those who hear us.

c. Strengthen The Weak (Isaiah 35:3-4) — God's people should strengthen those whose hands are weak and whose hearts are fearful.

d. Comfort The Discouraged (2 Corinthians 1:4) — Those who have experienced God's comfort should become channels of comfort to others.

Biblical Example: Jonathan visited David and strengthened him in God when David was under intense pressure from Saul (1 Samuel 23:16-17).

7. LET YOUR GREETING CROSS BARRIERS

Christlike love should overcome unnecessary social, cultural, economic, and personal barriers.

a. Christ Receives All Who Come To Him (John 6:37) — Jesus does not reject those who genuinely come to Him.

b. There Is No Partiality With God (Romans 2:11) — God's people must not build relationships around worldly status or favouritism.

c. Christ Has Broken Dividing Walls (Ephesians 2:13-14) — Through Christ, people who were formerly separated can become one.

d. Love Your Neighbour (Mark 12:31) — Christian love reaches beyond our closest circle and seeks the good of others.

Biblical Example: Peter learned through his encounter with Cornelius that God does not show partiality and that the gospel reaches people from every nation (Acts 10:34-35).

8. LET CHRISTIAN LOVE BE YOUR DAILY LIFESTYLE

The command to greet one another in love should become part of a broader lifestyle of Christian love.

a. Walk In Love (Ephesians 5:2) — Believers should make love a consistent pattern of life.

b. Bear With One Another (Ephesians 4:2) — Patience and humility help maintain healthy relationships.

c. Serve One Another In Love (Galatians 5:13) — Christian love is demonstrated through practical service.

d. Let Everything Be Done In Love (1 Corinthians 16:14) — Love should govern our words, attitudes, decisions, and actions.

Biblical Example: The church at Antioch demonstrated practical love and fellowship, and the disciples were first called Christians there because their lives visibly reflected their relationship with Christ (Acts 11:25-26).

CONCLUSION

“Greet one another with an holy kiss” is a call to genuine Christian affection, fellowship, acceptance, and unity. Though the specific cultural form of greeting may differ from one society to another, the spiritual principle remains: believers should treat one another with sincere love and warmth. We must not allow pride, offence, prejudice, or unforgiveness to make us cold toward God's people.

Let your presence bring encouragement. Let your words communicate grace. Let your greeting demonstrate love. Look beyond people's status, background, appearance, or past mistakes and see them as people whom God values. As you walk in love and honour, your relationships will become stronger and your life will reflect the character of Christ.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Father, fill my heart with genuine love for all Your children, in Jesus name.

2. Lord, remove every form of hatred, prejudice, bitterness, and resentment from my heart, in Jesus name.

3. Father, help me to treat everyone with honour, dignity, and respect, in Jesus name.

4. Lord, make me a source of welcome, encouragement, and comfort to those around me, in Jesus name.

5. Father, give me grace to forgive those who have offended me and maintain healthy fellowship, in Jesus name.

6. Lord, help me to overcome every barrier that prevents me from showing Christlike love to others, in Jesus name.

7. Father, strengthen the bonds of love and unity in my family and church, in Jesus name.

8. Lord, give me wisdom to speak words that encourage, heal, and build others up, in Jesus name.

9. Father, make my life a visible expression of the love of Christ, in Jesus name.

10. Lord, help me to walk in love every day and become a blessing to everyone I encounter, in Jesus name.

PROPHETIC DECLARATIONS

1. You shall walk in genuine love and demonstrate the character of Christ wherever you go.

2. Every root of bitterness, hatred, prejudice, and unforgiveness shall be removed from your heart.

3. You shall become a source of encouragement and comfort to many people.

4. Your words shall carry grace, healing, wisdom, and encouragement.

5. Your family shall experience greater love, unity, understanding, and fellowship.

6. You shall not become an instrument of division or hatred in the church.

7. God shall give you grace to welcome, honour, and value people regardless of their background or status.

8. Every relationship that God has ordained for your life shall be strengthened by love and understanding.

9. Your life shall attract people to the love of Christ and bring glory to God.

10. You shall walk in love, greet others with grace, strengthen the weak, and become a blessing wherever you go.